POLITICIANS holding government posts, including ministers, should not be involved in election campaigning during office hours, said the Election Commission today.

Its newly-minted chairman Azhar Azizan Harun said election activities during office hours was an abuse of power.

He also said that these politicians should not use government assets and facilities for campaigning purposes.

“EC is aware that Cabinet members and politicians holding government posts have the right to campaign for a party as it is (their) party activity.

“(But) they must know the difference in their responsibilities as a government employee or as an executive staff and as party leaders or members,” he said in a statement today.

Azhar also reminded the government that any projects announced during the campaign period for the purpose of attracting votes may be an electoral offence.

“This can be used as a reason to file an election petition which can rule the election outcome as illegal,” he said.

“It is a very thin line between a promise to bring development to the people in the constituency and corrupt practice, and it should be kept in check,” he warned.

He was commenting on the ongoing election campaign in Port Dickson ahead of the vote on October 13.

Seven candidates are vying for the parliamentary seat vacated by PKR’s first-time MP Danyal Balagopal Abdullah to allow the party’s incoming president Anwar Ibrahim to make a comeback to Parliament.

Apart from Anwar, the other candidates are PAS’ Mohd Nazari Mokhtar and independents Isa Samad, Saiful Bukhari Azlan, Lau Seck Yan, Stevie Chan and Kan Chee Yuen.

Earlier this week, the other candidates had complained that Anwar was gaining an unfair advantage with the Pakatan Harapan government helping out in his campaign by organising events and programmes.

As part of Anwar’s campaign, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is expected to be in Port Dickson tomorrow night.

Azhar said the commission was following the developments in Port Dickson, and had taken note of several activities that had created a negative impression among the people.

“We feel it is the duty of each candidate and party involved to stick to the letters of the laws but also to make sure that they adhere to the principles and spirit of democracy.

“This means each activity which is unethical and gives unfair advantage to one candidate over another must be stopped immediately even if such activities fall within what is allowed under present laws,” he said. – October 7, 2018.