No ceramah in Chini by-election if MCO extended, says EC

CHINI POLLS | The Chini by-election will see no ceramah allowed if the conditional movement control order (MCO) is extended, making it the first by-election without the campaign activity.

The conditional MCO is expected to be lifted on June 9, while the nomination day for the Chini by-election is on June 20 with a 14-day campaign period.

Election Commission (EC) deputy chairperson Azmi Sharom told Malaysiakini that no ceramah permit will be issued if the government still disallowed large group gatherings by then.

"If the public is not allowed to gather, that means there will be no ceramah," Azmi said.

For electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 executive director Yap Swee Seng, political parties should have no problem with not having a ceramah as they can still campaign via the Internet through webinars and social media.

Yap said, in fact, they have already adapted to using social media for political campaigns long before the Covid-19 outbreak started.

Without the ceramah, Yap said the door-to-door campaign could still be allowed as long as the parties involved observed health procedures such as not shaking hands and keeping social distancing measures.

Meanwhile, Azmi said voters will be asked to come at a certain time to avoid forming large crowds.

"What is more important is that we strongly encourage voters to be present at the time fixed by the EC.

"So please come on time," he said, adding that the EC has taken into consideration other health standard operating procedures.

The seat fell vacant after the incumbent, Abu Bakar Harun, 60, from BN, died at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital of a heart attack on May 6.

In the 14th general election (GE14) held in May 2018, Abu Bakar polled 10,027 votes to win the seat by a majority of 4,622 votes against PAS candidate Mohd Fadhil Noor Abdul Karim who obtained 5,405 votes and Mohamad Razali Ithnain of PKR (1,065 votes). - Mkini