Sarawak State Election: PBK urges EC to prohibit voters from bringing their mobile phones, cameras into voting rooms

KUCHING, Nov 9 2026: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) has called upon the Election Commission (EC) to prohibit voters from bringing of their mobile phones, cameras and any other devices capable of taking photographs into voting rooms when they cast their votes during the 13th Sarawak state election.

The party said it believes that this measure is necessary to protect the integrity, secrecy and credibility of the electoral process. 

"The use of mobile phones or cameras to photograph a marked ballot paper before it is deposited into the ballot box could facilitate vote-buying," the party said in a statement today.

It foresees a voter may be offered money, for example RM500, in return for voting for a particular candidate or political party, saying an advance payment may be made before polling day, while the balance may be paid after the voters have cast their vote.

PBK said the voters may be required to prove that they have voted for the candidate or party that provided the payment. 

"Such proof may be obtained by photographing the marked ballot paper using a mobile phone or camera before it is deposited into the ballot box," PBK stressed.

The party said for some voters, particularly in the present economic climate, a payment of RM500 may be a significant amount, adding that it believes that the possibility of such practices occurring in previous Sarawak state elections could not be dismissed.

It, therefore, urges the commission to take firm and immediate action to prevent any form of vote-buying, vote-selling or manipulation of the electoral process.

It also urges the commission to ensure that security personnel stationing at the voting centres are properly equipped with metal detectors to detect weapons. 

It added every voter should undergo appropriate security checks before entering voting centres.

"There is a real possibility that individuals or extremist groups may attempt to cause security incidents at voting centres," PBK said, citing a recent fatal shooting of a former Prime Minister of Japan during an election campaign is a reminder that election security must be treated seriously.

The party also calls upon the commission to take immediate and effective measures to safeguard the integrity, secrecy and security of the electoral process, and to ensure that every voter can cast his or her vote freely, safely and without fear.