PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission has no jurisdiction to act over political party campaign materials, including party flags, put up before the dissolution of Parliament.
EC chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah said the onus to remove these campaign materials would be on the local authorities.
“We want to make this clear. The commission has no authority to take action against any parties, ordering them to take down or remove the campaign materials like posters or flags because the election process has not started.
“The EC can only act during the official election campaign period as stipulated under the Election Offences Act 1954,” he said in a statement.
Hashim said the official election campaign period starts on nomination day and ends at midnight before polling day.
In this respect, he urged all quarters to adhere to the existing rules and regulations, which had been set by the local councils and relevant authorities.
This, he said, is to ensure public order and safety as well as to uphold the peace.
In January, it was reported several Kota Baru Municipal Council staff were injured when they were attacked by three men while removing political party flags that were put up without permits.