ERC chairman Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said the announcements of allocations in Tanjung Piai by several ministers was one of several issues the committee is studying.

“The ERC has received proposals and recommendations regarding this issue. We are studying how to strengthen existing laws so that all parties are clear on what should not happen during by-elections,” he said.

Rashid, a former chairman of the Election Commission, also said there were certain things that cannot be done during elections.

“These things are stated in the Election Offences Act. It is time to re-look and review it,” he added.

The Tanjung Piai by-election is the ninth since Pakatan Harapan took over the federal government on May 9 last year.

Similar complaints were made during the Cameron Highlands and Rantau by-elections earlier this year.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission recently urged all parties campaigning in Tanjung Piai to comply with election laws, rules and etiquette throughout the campaign period which ends on Nov 15.

It also said that providing food or drinks and giving material or monetary gifts was considered a form of bribery and an offence under the Election Offences Act.

Rashid said the ERC is also studying the formulation of a special provision to allow representatives of minority groups like the Orang Asli in Parliament.

“The provision proposed includes creating seats for minority groups. There’s a possibility that we can create two or three additional seats in the Dewan Rakyat.

“For example, they don’t contest, but we appoint them to the Dewan Rakyat. This is being considered.

“The Orang Asli are very few, so this recommendation was made to create representation in Parliament,” he added.