EC chairman Mohd Hashim Abdullah said the distribution of false messages in the form of video clips, texts and pictures was gaining momentum in the run-up to the 14th general election.

He dismissed a viral message about last Saturday’s early voting ballots having been counted in several parliamentary constituencies, and said the boxes of ballots were safe in police station lock-ups.

“These ballots will only be counted from 4pm on May 9 (polling day). The counting will take place at the EC-designated counting centres in the presence of the candidates or their agents,” he said in a statement.

Hashim also dismissed a claim that the space after the names of certain candidates in some ballot papers had been rubbed with candle wax to make it difficult for voters to mark.

He said there had been no such complaints and that the EC staff had checked every ballot paper to ensure it was free from any marks.

He also said that voters would have to mark only one space adjacent to the candidates’ names, and make sure that the mark did not cross into the spaces after the names of the other candidates.

“If there is doubt, the matter will be determined by the polling station presiding officer with the agreement of the counting agents of the candidates,” he said.

He also dismissed a viral message that voters could claim transport charges of between RM10 and RM1,000 at the district office by producing their ICs.

He advised the people against circulating false messages on social media, saying it could cause confusion and that it was an offence.

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