EC reiterates restriction over use of pictures on campaign materials

KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) has reiterated that only pictures of candidates and two political party leaders, namely the president and deputy president (or their equivalent), from Barisan Nasional (BN), PKR and PAS can be used on campaign materials for the 14th General Election (GE14) on May 9.
EC chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah said at the state level, only a combination of the pictures of the party's president, deputy president, the party liaison chairman (or their equivalent), Menteri Besar/Chief Minister and candidates (based on the use of logo/symbol of political party registered by candidate during the nomination day) was permitted to be used on campaign materials.
He said the additional requirements on the use of campaign materials in the GE14 were to ensure that campaign activities involving the contesting parties were peaceful, smooth and in accordance to ethical standards.
"So, why do people question that the pictures of certain leaders have been cut out when they (the opposition) have agreed to use the PKR symbol in GE14?
"Pakatan Harapan (PH) has agreed to use the PKR logo in the GE14. As such, only the images of PKR president and deputy president can be displayed, and not Mahathir's (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad) as he is the chairman of PH," he told Bernama yesterday.
Mohd Hashim was commenting on the move by EC enforcement members who cut out the picture of Dr Mahathir which was featured on a billboard in the Ayer Itam parliamentary constituency.
Elaborating, he said candidates were free to use their pictures on campaign materials in areas they were contesting.
"The EC has also instructed that BN posters nationwide, bearing the picture of the President of China be taken down by 445 personnel on duty comprising political parties, the Royal Malaysia Police, local authorities and EC officers. However, it was neither highlighted nor become viral.
"The same rules apply for all political parties," he added.
Mohd Hashim also advised voters not to easily fall for messages or news being circulated on social media as they were intended to confuse the public.
The EC had announced on April 24, the additional requirements relating to the use of campaign materials in the GE14. — Bernama