Kerdau hit by party flag free-for-all
Political parties are free to put up their flags tomorrow morning when marching to the nomination centre in support of their candidates for the Kerdau by-election, says the Election Commission (EC).
Political parties are free to put up their flags tomorrow morning when marching to the nomination centre in support of their candidates for the Kerdau by-election, says the Election Commission (EC).
EC deputy chief Wan Ahmad Wan Omar (right) said it is not an issue as it is still outside of the official campaign period.
"When they march to accompany their candidates tomorrow morning, they can put up whatever flag they want," he said at a press conference after inspecting the nomination centre at Dewan Tun Razak in Temerloh, Pahang.
"But once the candidates are formally announced, then its just BN and PAS that can put up their flags."
It has become a by-election norm since the March 2008 general elections for political parties from both sides of the divide to organise marches to the nomination centre, as part of the psychological warfare.
Wan Ahmad pointed out that they had already anticipated that Kerdau, which is the 16th by-election to date, is no exception and have already worked out with BN and Pakatan representatives the different routes that they will each take to the nomination centre.
When asked about the sea of PAS and BN flags already lining the highway that cuts through Kerdau, the EC's number two said approval for this, outside of the campaign period, lies with the local authorities and not the commission.
Wan Ahmad however stressed that right after the candidates have been formally announced and campaign deposits have been paid, only contesting parties can put up their campaign material.
"I've been asked by political parties and their lawyers... if you are not a contesting party, you do not need to and are not eligible to put down the campaign deposit," he said.
Two way fight expected
Wan Ahmad meanwhile said he expects the Kerdau by-election to be a straight fight, as only two sets of nomination papers have been purchased.
"So far, it looks like it is only two parties. We always ask who is buying, and at the moment it’s just BN and PAS," he said.
Earlier, Utusan Malaysia had reported that a former state assemblyperson intends to contest as an independent candidate.
The mystery individual, who declined to be identified, said he wanted to contest to "teach BN and PAS a lesson" and not to be over-confident going into this by-election.
