Don't go overboard with SOP, Kit Siang tells EC, Health Ministry

 

The Health Ministry and Election Commission (EC) should not go overboard with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) against Covid-19 by imposing a total ban on physical campaigning, DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang said.

Instead, the Iskandar Puteri MP said, they must strike a balance by having a fair election while keeping Covid-19 under control.

"The formulation of Covid-19 SOPs for the Malacca and Sarawak state elections should not be abused but should strike a proper balance between ensuring free, fair and clean elections and keeping the Covid-19 pandemic in check.

"There is no justification for the Health Ministry and the EC to impose a total ban on physical campaigning, provided the Covid-19 SOPs... are complied with," he said.

Lim said if the EC maintained the total ban on physical campaigning, it would lead to the "most unfree, unfair, and dirty" election.

"It is the duty of the EC to ensure the highest voter turn-out for the Malacca and Sarawak state elections while ensuring the Covid-19 SOPs (are adhered to), and not be more “Ministry of Health” than the Ministry of Health.

"Let us not follow the Jordanian example where there was only 29 percent voter turnout or the Algerian example where there was only 30 percent voter turnout when they held parliamentary elections during the Covid-19 pandemic," Lim said.

He said the parliamentary special select committee on health, science, and innovation should summon the EC to explain how it is striking a proper balance between ensuring free, fair and clean elections while containing Covid-19.

Malaccans are set to go to the polls on Nov 20 while the Sarawak polls must be called within 60 days from Nov 3. - Mkini