ELECTORAL watchdog Bersih 2.0 listed 10 people who they claimed as top offenders in the 14th general election (GE14), based on incidents which happened from April 27 until May 4 and selected from over 400 reports.

Election Commission (EC) chairman Hashim Abdullah tops the list as the Bersih 2.0 committee claimed that he had failed to uphold the basic constitutional right of candidates to run in the election.

The committee gave the disqualification of PKR’s incumbent MP and candidate for Batu, Tian Chua, and the prevention of PKR’s Dr S. Streram from filing his nomination papers in Rantau state seat as examples.

“Once again, the EC chairman Mohd Hashim Abdullah, earned a special 5-Star Award of Shame for the second time in a row for failing to address and rectify serious abuse of power by its officers on nomination day, including the unfair disqualification of Tian Chua and the unfair prevention of Dr Streram from filing his nomination papers.

“The police barred the latter entry on account of not possessing an entry pass issued by the EC which resulted in the uncontested win for BN candidate Mohamad Hasan, who happens to be caretaker menteri besar of Negeri Sembilan,” it said in a statement.

Other names included in the list are caretaker prime minister Najib Razak, BN’s Md Jamal Yunos, Kedah state RELA director Ahmad Abdul Wahab, the Community Development Department (KEMAS), PAS and BN polling agents in Tapah, Malaysian Youth Council (MBM), BN’s Ramlee Marhaban and Chan Quin Er and finally BN’s nationwide treating campaigns.

“Bersih 2.0 condemns the lack of action by the EC and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to respond to the attempts by the ruling coalition, Umno-led Barisan Nasional to steal GE14.

“The commissioners of both the EC and MACC must answer to the people and voters of Malaysia for their repeated failures to uphold the highest law in the country, the federal constitution.”

The group also warned all political parties and candidates to stop negative campaigning strategies such as vote-buying, deeming it a criminal offence.

“Bersih 2.0 also urges all political parties, candidates, civil organisations and voters to reject all forms of bribery and treating including the cash handouts and lucky draw prizes,” the statement read.

The group said the parties involved are responsible to ensure the election represents the people’s choice for the country and not the result of gerrymandering, corruption and arbitrary use of statutory powers. – May 4, 2018.