Voters Could Be Fined Or Jailed If They Post Photos Of Ballot Papers On Social Media
Don't do it.
By John Lim — 04 May 2018, 10:26 AM
Ahead of polling day next week, Malaysians participating in GE14 have been warned not to share photos of ballot papers and other documents related to the election on social media
According to the Election Commission (EC), the restriction was put in place to protect the transparency and secrecy of the voting process
"EC would like to advise all voters, especially those who are eligible to vote via post, whether domestic or overseas, who receive GE14 documents before the early or normal voting days, not to take photos of the ballot papers, forms or envelopes and spread them on social media or any medium of communication," EC chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah told the New Straits Times (NST).
Sharing the documents on social media is punishable by law, as provided under Section 3 of the Election Offences Act 1954 (Act 5)
Hashim explained that under Section 3 of the Election Offences Act 1954 (Act 5), the offender shall be liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine not more than RM5,000, or both.
The individual also may not be registered as a voter or vote in any election in the next five years from the date of conviction. If the individual has been elected in any election, his or her seat will be vacated from the date of conviction.
Hashim added that the prohibition, which applies to all voters, is to safeguard the public interest.
