GE15 candidates only need 1 permit for walkabouts, say cops

GE15 candidates only need 1 permit for walkabouts, say cops

The one-off permit is applicable for the entire GE15 campaigning period.

There has been some confusion over the need for police permits by candidates as they go out to meet voters during the election campaign. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA:
Police have clarified that candidates in the general election (GE15) only need to apply for a one-off permit for walkabouts throughout the entire campaign period.

Bukit Aman’s GE15 operations director Hazani Ghazali said the permit is also applicable in other districts.

“The requirement for a permit is to ensure campaigning goes smoothly. Candidates must ensure they do not clash (with other candidates) or provoke others during their walkabouts,” he said in a statement.

He said the permit requirement was as per provisions under Section 24B (3) of the Election Offences Act 1952.

Yesterday, Perak police chief Yusri Hassan Basri said election candidates going on walkabouts in the state must get a permit from the district police chief a day earlier.

Yusri said this applied to public speeches as well, adding that the permits were needed to ensure “safety and public order”.

Opposition parties have raised concerns over the need for walkabout permits, saying it was cumbersome.

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