GE13 campaigning ends 11.59 tonight - EC

"All campaign activities must be halted after that," stressed EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof. He said on May 5, which is the polling day, the EC will enforce Section 26(1) of the Election Offences Act 1954 which prohibits any form of meeting, rally, display or entertainment from being held, convened or organised in any place.

The section further prohibits the supply of any loud speaker or other such instruments intended for the use of political propaganda and the opening of any office or booth in any constituency, he told a press conference at the EC head quarters on Friday.

"It also prohibits anyone from trying to establish the identity of any person entering a polling station; check their identities against a name list; solicit or attempt to persuade someone to abstain from voting; or wait or loiter except to cast their votes, within 50 metres of the limits of polling stations," he said.

Abdul Aziz added that no one is allowed to wear or carry any form of clothing, head covering or other items specified in the section displaying the name of a candidate or the name or symbol of any political party within the same distance.

Anyone who contravenes these provisions shall be liable, on conviction, to a jail term of up to one year or fine of up to a maximum of RM5,000 or both, he said.

Residences within 50 metres from the limits of any polling station are also prohibited from being used as gathering places or to canvass for votes, he said.

"Existing party offices can remain open but cannot be used to canvas for votes," he added.

Abdul Aziz cautioned that anyone found selling or offering to buy ballot papers may be imprisoned for up to two years or fined up to RM5,000 or both, upon conviction.

He further advised that anyone convicted of these offences may be struck off the electoral rolls and banned from voting at any elections for up to five years from the date of conviction.

He also raised Section 3(1)(n) of the Act saying," Anyone who obstructs or prevents a voter who is entitled to vote from voting shall be liable to a maximum of two years jail or a maximum of RM5,000 fine or both upon conviction."