Only 5 leaders from each party allowed to enter Sarawak to campaign - EC

 

SARAWAK POLLS | Only five top leaders from each party contesting in the Sarawak polls will be allowed to enter the state for campaigning purposes, according to the Election Commission.

The EC in its standard operating procedure for the Sarawak state elections today said political parties must submit names of the five individuals to facilitate permission for their entry.

"Inter-state crossing is not allowed for campaigning purposes throughout the election period, with the exception of five top leaders from each contesting party.

"Names of the leaders must be submitted to the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee," said the EC.

"Entries to Sarawak are subject to procedures currently enforced and limited to activities permitted in the request for entry," the EC added.

This was in contrast to previous general and state elections which saw politicians from the peninsula flying in and out of East Malaysia to support their parties' campaigns.

For any events held in relation to the state elections, the EC specified a set-up of two metres distance between tables and a minimum one-metre physical distance between attendees.

No physical contact including fist bumps or handshakes will also be allowed throughout the function.

Meanwhile, the EC said political parties are allowed to hold meetings - up to four times a week and no longer than two hours each - comprising fully vaccinated individuals, at a 50 percent capacity of a venue.

"Party meetings also meant a gathering specifically in a meeting set-up and not a briefing, ceramah or other forms of banned physical campaigns," said the EC.

It added that politicians present during the meeting are subsequently allowed to hold a physical press conference with the attendance of the media.

Nominations for the Sarawak polls will be held tomorrow while polling day has been for Dec 18. - Mkini