Polls in Sarawak have always been peaceful - EC Chairman

Elections in Sarawak whether general, state or by-elections have always been very peaceful and incident free, said Election Commission Datuk Seri Mohd Hashim Abdullah.

He said this was because its people put racial and religious harmony, unity and the spirit of togetherness above all else.

"Thus all past general elections and by-elections have been held in very peaceful and calm manner.

"And as usual, there has been no reports of any untowards incidences so far in the campaigning period for the Tanjong Datu by-election which will end by midnight tonight," he told the media here after a final briefing and checking on preparations for all the 25 polling teams for polling tomorrow.

He said there had been no reports of provocative or aggresive banners being put up as well.

"We leave the monitoring of any of such offensive banners to the people themselves, who would know what to do," he said.

The Tanjong Datu by-election was called following the death of its incumbent Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who was also the fifth chief minister of Sarawak, on Jan 11 due to heart complications.

His wife Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu, 61, is the Barisan Nasional's nominee to defend the seat.

She is being challenged by a candidate each from the Sarawak Reform Party(STAR) and the PBDS Baru.

On the usage of social media for campaigning, Mohd Hashim said at the moment it was not possible to ensure the practitioners would use such medium judiciously.

"Even the presidential election of the world's most powerful country the USA is not immune, "he said.

Mohd Hashim, meanwhile, said the commission would continue to register more new voters when they reached the eligible age to vote.

"We have 14 caravans specially for the purpose of reaching out to those in very remote areas nationwide where there is no accommodation and other facilities.

"We have young and aggressive officers who are very committed to their responsibilities," he said.

Mohd Hashim added that he hoped every registered voter would make full use of any general election or by-election to cast their vote in order to elect their lawmakers. - BERNAMA