Current laws render the Election Commission almost powerless, according to its newly minted chairperson Azhar Harun.

"Under the current electoral law framework, EC doesn't have the power to investigate or prosecute any election offences.

"In fact, EC doesn't have the power to penalise or investigate any candidate or party being represented for breach of election laws, especially those under the Election Offences Act," he said in a statement.

Instead, Azhar said, the power to take action currently rests with the police, MACC, and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission.

However, he said EC has set up an election campaign enforcement team, but its members can only report offences that they witness themselves.

As such, he urged any individual, NGO or quarter with information on election offences to report them to the relevant authorities.

Azhar's statement comes amid accusations that PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim is misusing government machinery for the Port Dickson by-election.

This includes using a military platform to campaign to army voters.

Anwar has denied the allegations and claimed that his presence at military facilities was based on invitations from the military.