ELECTION watchdog Bersih detected a huge number of electoral violations committed by the political parties contesting in the recent state elections. 

Bersih chairman Thomas Fann said there were around 150 violations in total.

Among the main offences were enticing voters by offering free food and treats, and having lucky draws, as well as Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s flashing of his marked ballot paper.  

Fann said from preliminary observations, both Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN), and Perikatan Nasional (PN) were equally guilty.  

“The most common violation was the abuse of state resources for campaigning, committed by the state governments as well as the federal government. 

“Also, major announcements and allocations were made by the caretaker menteris besar of Selangor (Amirudin Shari), Kedah (Sanusi), and Terengganu (Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar),” he said. 

The state elections ended Saturday with PH-BN retaining Selangor, Penang, and Negri Sembilan, while PN retained Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu. 

Fann said the organisation’s observers were still tabulating the data.

“We are compiling a detailed report of our election observations and will submit it to the Election Commission as well as to the public in about two months’ time.” 

Bersih had deployed 89 people to observe 60 hotly contested seats. 

Fann said the EC has to seriously look into improving the postal voting process, especially in the delivery of postal ballots to overseas voters. 

“The feedback we are still receiving is that overseas voters do not have enough time to send back their ballots, and some have not received it even after polling day. 

“The EC must also give absentee voting rights to out-of-state voters so that we can see higher participation at elections. Postal voting or advance voting facilities should be extended to these voters.” 

Fann said all the electoral offences committed during the state polls were also carried out in the last general election (GE15), which included bribery and vote-buying, offering gifts, and improper government influence.

There was, however, a noticeable reduction in direct vote-buying. 

“This could be due to the decision of the Election Court to vacate the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat after GE15 due to bribery,” he added.

On Saturday, PAS candidate Ahmad Amzad Hashim won back the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat in the by-election held following the annulment of his victory in GE15.

Amzad defeated PH candidate Azan Ismail by 47,266 votes, collecting 68,369 votes versus Azan’s 21,103. – August 16, 2023.