SLIM RIVER: A fracas broke out at the polling centre in Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Aminuddin Baki here today, triggered by a misunderstanding over the voter dress code.
Several would-be voters had been prevented from entering the centre for wearing shorts – a move which upset them. They expressed their disgruntlement by violently tearing up their voter information cards distributed by the Election Commission (EC).
One of the voters who was turned away, who wishes to be known as Yong, said that he had cast his ballot nine times previously, and was never stopped from entering a polling centre for not wearing long pants.
"This time, I could not enter because I'm wearing shorts. Previously, we had no problem and they allowed us to enter.
"(So) I refuse to cast my vote today," he said when met after leaving the polling centre.
Another individual said that he was frustrated when he was stopped by police from proceeding to a polling booth for the same reason.
"I want to go to work and I came early, but he stopped me," he added.
Under Section 26 (1) (g) of the Election Offences Act 1954, a voter is prohibited from entering a polling station on polling day if they are dressed in clothing, or carry equipment, that display names of candidates, political party symbols or logos.