7,531 BN polling centre operations room open

Some 7,531 Barisan Nasional (BN) polling district centres (PDM) operation rooms in ​​222 parliamentary constituencies in the country began operation today in preparation for the 13th general election.

Publicity and Information Bureau chairman Datuk Ahmad Maslan said each PDM operation room comprises five key officers including the chief and committee members tasked with collecting data and making election charts.

"Most importantly, they have to review the latest electoral rolls and identify voters as white, grey, black or out station voters," he told reporters after visiting Kampung Morten PDM operation room here today.

The opening of PDM operation rooms was in accordance with the directive of Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak as the coming election is considered unusual.

"Since it is an unusual election, we open the PDM operation rooms before the dissolution of parliament unlike during previous elections when they were opened only after the dissolution of parliament."

Ahmad said that PDM operation rooms must be decorated with BN flags and it is up to the chiefs to determine the operating hours.

"We can rotate among the ten committee members meaning 180 members for each PDM operation rooms to keep them open according to the needs and situation."

The Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department said PDM operation rooms could hold talks on a small scale, make door-to-door visits and hold other activities.

Asked whether action would be taken against those yet to open PDM operation rooms, he said that the matter it would be noted.

"Since party work is voluntary, we can only persuade and issue directive. I am confident that the directive to open PDM operation rooms will be adhered to."