PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim had committed six out of the 10 election offences recorded during the Port Dickson by-election, according to Bersih.

Launching its election observation report on the Oct 13 by-election today, the electoral watchdog said PAS candidate Mohd Nazari Mokhtar was responsible for the remaining four offences.

"The by-election was marred by various election offences and misconduct during the campaign period.

"Ten issues have been recorded and all were committed by Pakatan Harapan and PAS," Bersih executive director Yap Swee Seng (photo above) told a press conference in Petaling Jaya.

As an example, he cited Anwar's surprise appearance at an awards ceremony for army veterans at Port Dickson's Army Museum, where no other candidates were invited.

Yap said Anwar's presence at a zakat aid distribution event at Masjid Jamek Permatang Pasir together with the Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun raised questions on the abuse of government machinery.

He added that the free online tuition portal launched by Anwar is also connected to a Perak state government-linked tuition portal and the PKR president-elect also campaigned at a free concert and two dinner events.

Free mooncakes

Meanwhile, Yap said PAS gave out free gifts in lucky draws during their campaign events.

The PAS machinery, he added, was also found distributing free mooncakes and halal bak kut teh during the campaign period.

Mohd Nazari was also recorded holding free health check programmes for Port Dickson voters.

Despite the offences committed by the two candidates, Bersih commended the Election Commission (EC) for certain improvements in the Port Dickson by-election.

"Overall, the by-election was conducted smoothly with some improvement by the EC," Yap said.

He said when independent candidate Kan Chee Yuen planned to distribute free pens to voters, the EC acted proactively by reminding him that it is an election offence.

Yap said the EC also reminded ministers to campaign outside of office hours only and to ensure that no government assets were used.

He also noted that EC chairperson Azhar Harun instructed election enforcement officers to take action against supporters campaigning outside the SK Teluk Kemang polling centre on polling day.

Anwar won the Port Dickson seat after defeating six candidates with a landslide majority of 23,560 votes.