GOVERNMENT events held in constituencies about to hold polls do not violate election law unless they are used to bait voters, said Azhar Azizan Harun.

The Election Commission chairman told reporters in Putrajaya today that unless Parliament or a state assembly is dissolved and there is no sitting government, such events will naturally continue to be held.

“However, if a government activity is used to bait voters, it becomes an issue.

“The government must then be able to justify the event and prove that it was not to bait voters should the matter be brought to court,” he said after meeting newly appointed EC commissioners.

He was commenting on the “coincidence” that several ministers held official functions in Semenyih in the last two weeks, after it was announced that the state seat will hold a by-election on March 2.

Nomination will be held tomorrow. Under election law, campaigning can begin only after nomination and continue until midnight before polling day.

“While a government is sitting, and Parliament or a state assembly has not been dissolved, the government still exists. So, there will still be government events,” said Azhar.

“Therefore, in principle, government events do not violate election law in general.”

The Semenyih by-election is the sixth since the 14th general election, which saw Pakatan Harapan wrest federal power.

The five earlier by-elections – Balakong, Seri Setia, Sg Kandis, Port Dickson and Cameron Highlands – also saw government events held in the run-up to polling day, resulting in criticism of PH.

Azhar today met three new EC commissioners, namely former Foreign Ministry secretary-general Ramli Ibrahim, former Manpower Department director Chin Phaik Yoong and Bersih 2.0’s Zoe Randhawa.

Two other new commissioners – Universiti Malaya law lecturer Dr Azmi Sharom and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Dr Faizal Hazis – were not present as they were settling matters concerning their respective institutions.

Azmi is the EC’s new deputy chairman. – February 15, 2019.