THE Election Commission (EC) has set up two election campaign enforcement teams to monitor the activities of candidates running in the Sungai Bakap state by-election.

EC deputy chairman Azmi Sharom said all campaign strategies and materials are permissible as long as they do not incite anger and hostility, involve racial or religious sensitivities, including issues related to race, religion, and royal institutions, violate election laws.

“The EC hopes for a campaign period conducted in a harmonious atmosphere and in compliance with existing laws and regulations,” he said in a statement today.

He mentioned that candidates who had paid a deposit for election campaign materials must also comply with local authority by-laws when displaying and distributing materials containing their photos, party emblems, or symbols, as well as photos of coalition or component party leaders.

“There is no restriction on the inclusion of photos of political party logos or images of leaders from component political parties or alliances on election campaign materials,” he added.

The Sungai Bakap by-election in Penang is a straight fight between Joohari Ariffin of Pakatan Harapan and Abidin Ismail of Perikatan Nasional.

The electoral roll for the state seat of Sungai Bakap has 39,279 voters, consisting of 39,222 regular voters and 57 police officers.

A total of 522 election workers will manage the by-election process, while over 600 police officers will be deployed to ensure security.

In the Penang elections last August, Nor Zamri, who was also the Nibong Tebal PAS chief, defeated Pakatan Harapan candidate Nurhidayah Che Rose by 1,563 votes.

The Sungai Bakap polls is the eighth by-election to be held after the 2022 general election.

The campaign period commences today and ends before midnight on July 5.

July 6 is polling day and early voting is on July 2. – June 22, 2024.