SLIM RIVER: There is no Act that forbids a voter donning shorts from entering a polling centre, said Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh.
He was responding to reports that several voters were prevented from entering a polling centre here today merely for wearing shorts – a situation which led to a commotion and the voters in question to abandon their plan to cast their ballots.
Ghani said the issue arose due to a miscommunication between personnel manning the polling centre and the constituents; and he hopes that the affected voters will return to the polling centre to carry out their civic duty.
"It was probably a miscommunication. It should be no problem wearing shorts and entering the polling centre.
"I hope the affected individuals will come back and cast their votes.
"In terms of (attire), those who wear political party shirts are not allowed to enter the polling centre," he added.
Ghani was speaking to reporters after visiting the polling centre at SK Aminuddin Baki here, today.
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 are carrying equipment, which display names of candidates, political party symbols or logos.
Earlier, a fracas broke out at SK Aminuddin Baki, triggered by a misunderstanding over the voter dress code.
Several would-be voters were 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 EC.
Meanwhile, Ghani also advised party supporters not to campaign or canvas voters near the polling centres, as the campaigning period officially ended last night.
"Party supporters are only allowed to assist voters in the voting process, such as providing face masks and so on," he said.
As of 11am, the EC had recorded a 29 per cent turnout among the 22,749 registered voters.