NIBONG TEBAL: Police have arrested two men and opened five investigation papers in connection with election offences during the campaigning period for the Sungai Bakap by-election.
State police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said since Nomination Day on June 22 until today, they had received five reports related to incidents during the Sungai Bakap by-election campaign.
He said further investigations were ongoing.
"We have opened five investigation papers for five reports we had received.
"They included one case for damaging campaign materials like party flags and banners under Section 427 of the Penal Code and one case of theft of election flags and banners under Section 379 of the Penal Code.
"There was also a case of conducting campaigning without a permit under Section 24(B)(3)(a) of the Election Offences Act 1954 and two cases of distributing pamphlets and spreading information that violates the law under Section 4A(1) of the Election Offences Act 1954.
"For these two cases, we have arrested two men, aged 23 and 27, for investigation," he told a press conference held for the Sungai Bakap by-election at the Seberang Prai Selatan district police headquarters here today.
Tomorrow, more than 39,000 voters of Sungai Bakap will cast their votes to determine their new assemblyman.
The by-election was triggered following the death of Pas man Nor Zamri Latiff on May 24.
The Sungai Bakap by-election will see a straight fight between Pakatan Harapan's Dr Joohari Ariffin and Perikatan Nasional's Abidin Ismail.
Hamzah said police issued 181 permits for campaign activities by political parties contesting in the by-election.
They included 97 permits for Pakatan Harapan and the remaining for PN. No permit application was rejected.
"The campaign period proceeded smoothly with a peaceful and orderly atmosphere without any incidents from any contesting parties.
"We have advised all political parties to ensure that all campaign activities cease by 11.59pm tonight.
"We will monitor and take stern action if campaigning continues beyond the stipulated period," he added.
Hamzah expressed his thanks to all political parties, supporters and the public for their compliance and cooperation throughout the campaign period in the by-election.
He, however, reminded all parties involved not to raise issues related to race, religion and royalty (3Rs) and to refrain from any provocations during the voting process tomorrow.