Pemantau: Seven observers arrested, denied legal aid
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http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/229264 |
Election
watchdog Pemantau, which operates under the movement for free and fair
elections Bersih, says seven of its observers have been arrested and
several of them denied legal representation.
Two Pemantau observers were arrested at SRJK (C) Bukit Beruang in Ayer Keroh, Malacca, and taken to the Malacca police contingent headquarters.
"Another
five Pemantau observers were arrested at SRJK (C) Nan Yek Lee Rubber,
in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, and were investigated under Section 341 of
Penal Code for wrongful restrain.
"They were refused access to lawyers, as provided for under Section 28A of Criminal Procedure Code. They are still at the Taman Setapak police station.
"Pemantau observers were also forcefully chased out of polling centres in Pekan, Temerloh and Danau Kota by mobs believed to be from BN," Pemantau said in a late statement late last night.
Its preliminary observations, it said, showed that the indelible ink could be removed with only soap and water, minutes after voting.
This only proved Bersih's concern about the indelible ink, which the Election Commission (EC) claimed would be indelible for seven days.
Bersih had asked for a public demonstration of the indelible ink before, but this was not done by the EC.
"We also reported non-citizens wearing police jackets while traveling in police vans to polling centres. In other areas, some registered voters were denied their votes as they found others have voted on their behalf."
There
were also irregularities in a number of ballot papers. Some were
stained, and EC officers also found staff recording ballot papers'
serial numbers and unstamped ballot papers were given to voters in
Kampung Tawas in Ipoh from 8am to 11am yesterday.
The election observer group added that EC officers rejected requests from voters for the issuance of new ballot papers because there were marks on the paper. It has also received reports of voters and observers forced to cast their votes on stained ballot papers.
"It is shocking that the EC did not respond to any of the public complaints. It has to answer to the irregularities in the conduct of the election and harassment of Pemantau observers," it said.
Pemantau and Bersih will hold a press conference later at which various issues are to be raised.
Where's the legitimacy?
Meanwhile, WargaAMAN secretary general S Barathidasan said the election results were unacceptable because of alleged fraud involving “indelible ink, foreigner voters and phantom voters and many other issues”.
“(Such incidents) mark the death of democracy, death of clean and fair electionsin Malaysia.
“WargaAMAN queries why there are many spoilt votes?
“Why did the EC take so long to announce the full results; as this has never happened before in previous general elections?” said Barathidasan.
He said a government that comes to power “through fraud and wrongful mechanisms” is likely to have its authority and fundamental status questioned.
Two Pemantau observers were arrested at SRJK (C) Bukit Beruang in Ayer Keroh, Malacca, and taken to the Malacca police contingent headquarters.
"Another
five Pemantau observers were arrested at SRJK (C) Nan Yek Lee Rubber,
in Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur, and were investigated under Section 341 of
Penal Code for wrongful restrain."They were refused access to lawyers, as provided for under Section 28A of Criminal Procedure Code. They are still at the Taman Setapak police station.
"Pemantau observers were also forcefully chased out of polling centres in Pekan, Temerloh and Danau Kota by mobs believed to be from BN," Pemantau said in a late statement late last night.
Its preliminary observations, it said, showed that the indelible ink could be removed with only soap and water, minutes after voting.
This only proved Bersih's concern about the indelible ink, which the Election Commission (EC) claimed would be indelible for seven days.
Bersih had asked for a public demonstration of the indelible ink before, but this was not done by the EC.
'Fears of phantom voters real'
Pemantau also observed that the fears of phantom voters was real, for in Lembah Pantai it observed vehicles ferrying phantom voters and suspiciously entering polling centres."We also reported non-citizens wearing police jackets while traveling in police vans to polling centres. In other areas, some registered voters were denied their votes as they found others have voted on their behalf."
There
were also irregularities in a number of ballot papers. Some were
stained, and EC officers also found staff recording ballot papers'
serial numbers and unstamped ballot papers were given to voters in
Kampung Tawas in Ipoh from 8am to 11am yesterday.The election observer group added that EC officers rejected requests from voters for the issuance of new ballot papers because there were marks on the paper. It has also received reports of voters and observers forced to cast their votes on stained ballot papers.
"It is shocking that the EC did not respond to any of the public complaints. It has to answer to the irregularities in the conduct of the election and harassment of Pemantau observers," it said.
Pemantau and Bersih will hold a press conference later at which various issues are to be raised.
Where's the legitimacy?
Meanwhile, WargaAMAN secretary general S Barathidasan said the election results were unacceptable because of alleged fraud involving “indelible ink, foreigner voters and phantom voters and many other issues”.
“(Such incidents) mark the death of democracy, death of clean and fair electionsin Malaysia. “WargaAMAN queries why there are many spoilt votes?
“Why did the EC take so long to announce the full results; as this has never happened before in previous general elections?” said Barathidasan.
He said a government that comes to power “through fraud and wrongful mechanisms” is likely to have its authority and fundamental status questioned.
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