Ensure all army personnel can vote freely in Bagan Pinang.

DAP National Deputy Chairman and MP for Kepong Dr Tan Seng Giaw calls on the Election Commssion (EC) to ensure that 4,604 armed forces personnel can vote freely without any undue influence of any political leader in the Bagan Pinang by-election on 11.10.2009.

The Commission should make certain that no party leaders such as the Defence Minister have any political interference on army offcers and other ranks. There are two army camps in the Bagan Pinang state constituency, each being commanded by a Leftenant Colonel.

On 2.10.2009, Dr Tan comments on the intention of the EC Deputy Chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar to distribute ballot papers on Oct 7 to 4,604 army personnel for the Bagan Pinang by-election to allow postal voting the next day. Contesting political parties would be allowed to appoint a representative each to witness balloting and counting of postal votes at army camps.

There are 13,664 voters in the Bagan Pinang constituency, 4,604 being postal voters.

Since the EC has nothing to hide, it should try its utmost to ensure that the Defence Minister or other party leaders do not have an undue advantage. If the EC is not biased and pro-government, why is it that it does not say anything when Port Dickson was declared an Army Town four days before nomination on 3.10.2009 by the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib.

Datuk Wan Ahmad would need more than just letting a representative of each candidate to witness the postal voting. He would have to show more transparency. Any Government activity in the army camps such as insentive including promotion or bonus or promise of such things or coercion is construed as biased.

Dr Tan Seng Giaw