Several Male Voters Were Denied Entry At Their Polling Stations For Wearing Shorts
However, some men faced no challenges despite showing up in the same attire.
By Katrina Khairul Azman — 09 May 2018, 04:31 PM
Earlier this month, the Election Commission (EC) confirmed in a statement that voters would not be required to abide by a dress code on polling day
According to The Star, EC chairman Mohd Hashim Abdullah said that the authorities would never prevent a voter from entering the polling station as long as he or she adheres to the law.
Under Section 26 (1) (g) of the Election Offences Act 1954, voters are only prohibited from wearing any type of clothing that displays names of candidates, political party symbols or logos at the polling stations on election day.
Nevertheless, an elderly man was denied entry from his polling station in Butterworth earlier today for wearing knee-length pants
The 70-year-old voter was told by an EC officer at SMK Kampung Kastam, Butterworth, to only return once he has changed into longer pants, Free Malaysia Today reported.
In the video posted on Youtube, the EC officer can be heard saying that, "before this it was allowed, but now, what to do?" before advising the man to "change and then go inside straight away."
Several other male voters in different constituencies were also reportedly turned away for showing up at their polling stations in shorts and slippers
According to Malaysiakini, the polling stations in question are located in Selangor.
However, some men faced no challenges from EC officers when they attempted to vote in the same attire
The Star reported that many male voters in shorts and slippers were seen walking out of SK La Salle with their fingers marked with indelible ink.
Head over to the SAYS GE14 live website on polling day for verified, real-time results and updates:
