Published: Sunday May 5, 2013 MYT 6:17:00 PM

GE13: EC slams those spreading rumours of phantom voters

By JOSEPH SIPALAN

PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission (EC) has hit out at rumour-mongers on social media websites spreading claims of phantom voters coming out in droves to vote.

EC deputy chief Datuk Wira Wan Ahmad Wan Omar lambasted those who took it upon themselves to stop people they suspected to be foreigners, warning that it was against the law.

"You can't stop people from exercising their (right to) vote. This is taking the law into their own hands.

"I hope the police catch these people... don't do something you're not supposed to do," said a visibly annoyed Wan Ahmad.

The EC's second-in-command pointed out that they have done a lot of work to clean the electoral roll, including wiping it clean of voters who have died.

He repeated the EC's position that anyone who possesses a MyKad is a citizen and any move to stop a voter from casting their ballots is an offence that carries a fine and jail time under the Election Offences Act.

"The issue of phantom voters does not arise. Around 30% of Malaysians went home to vote. (Opposition leader Datuk Seri) Anwar (Ibrahim) votes in Permatang Pauh, that does not mean we are phantom voters... so who does he mean by phantom voters?"

Wan Ahmad added that it is not difficult for foreigners to apply for citizenship if they fulfil the prerequisites.

"Migrants don't want to go back (to their countries of origin), they want to stay in Malaysia.

"If they spend 12 years here on PR (permanent resident) status, they are qualified to be citizens... this issue of phantom voters is sabotage, used to discredit the EC," he said.

For more election stories, please visit The Star's GE13 site

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