Semporna MP Shafie Apdal has called on the Election Commission to explain how effectively the mobile phone ban at polling centres was enforced during the 15th general election in 2022 and the six state elections in 2023.
The Warisan president told the Dewan Rakyat that under the directive, voters who brought their mobile phones to polling centres were required to place their devices at designated spots after receiving their ballot papers, and could retrieve them after voting.
He questioned how the ban had been enforced and sought clarification on whether the government plans to include the offence of using mobile phones at polling centres in amendments to the Election Offences Act 1954.
Shafie also wanted the EC to disclose the number of people investigated or prosecuted over the use of mobile phones at polling centres.
Before GE15, the EC had said that mobile phones were not allowed in voting areas, with voters required to place their devices at designated spots after receiving their ballot papers.
The EC said the rule would stop voters from taking photos of their ballots to prove they voted for a certain party in exchange for inducements.
While some voters said the rule was strictly enforced at their polling centres, others said they were not required to surrender their phones prior to voting.
