• • • RM100 cash in N50 Gum-Gum by WARISAN RM100 cash in N17 Darau by Perikatan Nasional RM100 – RM300 cash in Karambunai by Perikatan Nasional iv. Accessibility to Polling Centres SUHAKAM observers noted that several polling stations were not disabledfriendly and lacked the facilities to ensure vulnerable groups’ safety and well-being, especially for persons with disabilities (PWD) and the elderly. There was only a limited number of wheelchairs at the polling station, and the polling stations were not located on the ground floor. While voters in wheelchairs had to be carried up the stairs, senior citizen voters complained that they had to cast their ballot on the third floor. At one of the polling centres, there was only one wheelchair available. v. Media Freedom SUHAKAM was concerned over media reports that the EC was barring nonofficial media from entering all nomination centres. According to news reports, only those from RTM, Bernama, Information Department and the National Film Development Corporation (Finas) were allowed to enter. This restriction was reportedly part of the EC’s COVID-19 preventative measures. SUHAKAM notes with alarm that since the change in government in March, COVID-19 is increasingly being used as a reason to sideline journalists and media practitioners attached with non-state-owned agencies from covering important, public-interest events. Restricting and allowing access to just government media creates a situation where only one-sided news or perceptions are available for public consumption. vi. Political Funding The incumbent party employed a massive marketing strategy. There were large numbers of flags, newspapers and LCD screens publicising the party, as mentioned earlier, and this was in full swing one month before the election. The issue here stems from the fact that the funding for each party/candidate is unknown. vii. Election Process a) Campaign period There were no restrictions on any candidate during the campaign period. Campaigning ran smoothly without any incidents of fighting between 78 ANNUAL REPORT 2020