Kota Kinabalu: The Election Commission (EC) emphasised that all voting, counting, tabulation and result announcements during the 17th Sabah Election were conducted with full integrity and transparency.
EC Secretary Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus said these processes were also monitored by all political parties, observer groups and appointed individuals involved in the polls.
Khairul Shahril said the statement was issued in response to several claims that went viral on social media, which he said had given an inaccurate impression of how the 17th Sabah Election was conducted.
“The EC has taken note of several allegations circulating on social media that misrepresented the election process, particularly claims alleging a lack of transparency on the part of the EC in managing the Sabah polls,” he said.
Khairul Shahril also said any dispute relating to the election process or its results must be filed through an election petition within 21 days from the date the results are gazetted.
Khairul Shahril said the EC also expressed its appreciation to all voters in Sabah who fulfilled their responsibilities on Nov 29, enabling the returning officers to officially declare the results.
He added that the commission also extended its gratitude to all government agencies, security forces, local authorities, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB), media practitioners, as well as all parties who were directly or indirectly involved in ensuring the smooth conduct of the election.
