SRJK (C) Shih Chung Cawangan and SJKC Kwang Hwa in Sungai Nibong, which are voting centres for the Pantai Jerejak constituency in the state polls, are physically situated in the Batu Uban constituency (N35).

Candidates are allowed to put up their banners, flags and other materials beyond the 50m perimeter of the voting centre boundaries.  

However, Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) is prohibited from putting up any of its materials in that area because it belongs to the N35 constituency.

So, Pantai Jerejak electors going to cast their ballot there will not see any PRM flags or posters close to the voting centre area, but they will see the posters and flags of the parties that are contesting both in Batu Uban and Pantai Jerejak (N36).

Pantai Jerejak voters are thus denied a view of PRM logos before they enter the voting centres. This is not a fair election rule/regulation. If a voting centre for constituency “A: is located in the adjoining constituency “B” as in this case, there should be a zone (no man’s land) say up to 500m from the voting centres so that all candidates for whom voters in constituency “A” are going to vote, can put up their party logos.

This ruling puts the PRM candidate for Pantai Jerejak at a disadvantage. Other candidates are able to display their party symbols because there are candidates from their parties also contesting in Batu Uban.

This unfair practice must be corrected so that all candidates for whom votes are going to be cast in any particular voting centre, which is outside the boundary of their own constituency, are able to display their party logos within a “no man’s land” zone around the voting centres.  – August 11, 2023.

*Ravinder Singh is Parti Rakyat Malaysia candidate for the Pantai Jerejak state seat.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.