PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission (EC) has denied allegations made by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin that the commission would print his real name Mahiaddin on the ballot paper for the Pagoh parliamentary and Gambir state seats.
EC chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah said the name to be printed would be based on what was written in column 3 Form 4 and Form 4A, as submitted by Muhyiddin, which stated his name as Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
“The name listed in the EC website and the MySPR application is ‘Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’, save for what is listed on the electoral roll, which is based on the original name as stated in his identification card.
“Relating to his name (Mahiaddin) being used in the 13th General Election results, the commission wants to make it clear that the name of a winning candidate when it is gazetted in Form 16 will show the full name or the original name and not the name used on the ballot paper.
“In this respect, the EC hopes this explanation will clear the air on the issue raised,” he said in a statement.
Yesterday, Muhyiddin had urged the EC to spell his name correctly after finding that his name in the EC website was based on his MyKad which is Mahiaddin Bin Md Yassin.
He had claimed that the EC would likely print the name Mahiaddin on the ballot paper.
Hashim also denied viral messages that the EC would impose a dress code on those who would be casting their votes in the 14th General Election (GE14).
“The EC has never and will not stop any voters from entering the polling centre so long they do not violate Section 26(1)(g) of the Election Offences Act 1954 that do not allow anyone to enter the polling centre while dressed in and carrying equipment that display the candidate’s name, party symbol or logo on polling day,” he said.
In this respect, the EC chairman urged the public to be careful and verify information that they receive via social media.
“The public can refer straight to the EC for verification and obtain accurate information by calling 03-88927018,” he said.
Meanwhile, the opposition failed to draw a big crowd to its election campaign in Jasin, despite featuring Muhyiddin its key speaker.
Its campaign in Nyalas on Sunday night only drew some 200 people.
Before the arrival of Muhiyddin, who is president of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia at about 9.30pm, the organiser had made repeated appeals to the public to come and fill up the seats at the ceramah.
PKR vice president Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, who is the opposition’s candidate for Hang Tuah Jaya parliamentary and Rim state seats, failed to turn up despite the organiser touting him of making a presence.
In his speech, Muhyiddin wasted no time criticising the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
He focused his attacks on Najib’s efforts in implementing the Goods and Services Tax and subsidy rationalisation, as well as perceived reduction in government scholarships and supply of medicines at public hospitals.
Ironically, Muhiyiddin in making various promises at the ceramah, pledged that the opposition would continue with the government-initiated 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) if it won GE14.
“I was asked by the masses, when we (the opposition) form the government, would BR1M be continued? My answer is ‘Yes’. (But) our BR1M is different because we will make sure it will be a targeted programme,” he said.