MEDIA IS EC'S STRATEGIC PARTNER TO DELIVER ACCURATE ELECTION INFORMATION - NIK AMINUDIN

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- The media plays a crucial role as a strategic partner of the Election Commission (EC) in ensuring that election-related information is conveyed accurately and does not mislead the public.

Nik Aminudin Nik Shahar Shah, Head of Training Management Programme at the Election Academy, said inaccurate reporting can affect public perception of the EC, making proper understanding essential in all election coverage.

“We always share what the media should know, but we also acknowledge that there have been reports in the past that could confuse the public. 

“For example, there were previous reports stating that postal voting was open to all voters unable to return to cast their votes, when in fact it is only available to certain eligible categories,” he explained.

Nik Aminudin was speaking to the media after presenting a briefing at the Course on Political and Election Coverage: Techniques, Ethics, and Media Analysis, organised by the Election Academy and the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Excellence Centre at Wisma Bernama today.

Nik Aminudin said that such engagement sessions are vital to strengthen cooperation between the ECa and the media to improve understanding of official election terms and procedures.

He explained that one common confusion arises over the term “Sabah State Election,” because the official term used by the EC is the “Sabah State Legislative Assembly General Election”.

He also noted that many members of the public are unaware that the electoral roll used in an election is based on a cut-off period gazetted by the EC, and electors registering after the period will only be eligible to cast their votes in the next election.

“For example, if EC announces the use of the Supplementary Electoral Roll up to May, those who register in June, even if they are of legal voting age, are not eligible to vote in that election. This is often the cause of public confusion,” he said.

Nik Aminudin also clarified misunderstandings about the ban on bringing mobile phones into polling centres, saying that voters are allowed to bring their mobile phones but prohibited from using them inside the voting area.

“It is not an absolute ban. Voters can bring their phones, but must place them in designated areas when marking their ballots to ensure vote secrecy.

“This restriction also applies to everyone in the voting channel, including agents and election officers, except for the Presiding Officer, as we want to prevent recordings or photos that could compromise vote confidentiality,” he added.

-- BERNAMA