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Extracted from Malaysiakini
Mafrel:
Polls failed to meet int'l standards
May
22,
The
ninth Sarawak state elections had failed to meet the international criteria of
a free and fair election, claimed independent election observer Malaysians for
Free and Fair Election (Mafrel).
Its chairperson Abdul
“There
have been serious rights violations committed prior to polling day. One was the
denial of the right to association where Malaysian Dayak Congress (MDC)’
application to be registered under the Registrar of Societies (ROS) failed to
get any response.
“The other was the blatant disregard for free and independent reporting as
there had been prejudicial reports against the opposition by a public-funded
broadcasting station,” he said, referring to the state-owned RTM.
Speaking at a press conference in Kuching yesterday, he said Mafrel was
‘extremely disappointed’ with the television station.
Unfair coverage
At the state level, he criticised a Malay daily and an
English tabloid for their ‘unethical’ reports.
However, he commended the Chinese press and an English
daily for providing ‘some balance’ in their coverage of the polls.
Mafrel was also disappointed with the low voter turnout and pinned the blame on
the Election Commission (EC).
Abdul Malek claimed that
the commission had failed to carry out effective programmes to encourage the
locals to come out and vote.
Meanwhile, he said Mafrel’s observation at three polling stations in separate
constituencies had revealed that the election was not free of irregularities
and violations.
Among the complaints were vote buying and voter impersonation as well as
phantom and deceased voters casting their ballots.
Other alleged violations were:
- systematic transportation for ferrying voters which is illegal under election
rules
- election
candidates wearing party symbols during visits to the polling stations
- abuse
of public-funded machineries by certain political parties