Ceramahs, walkabouts, door-to-door campaigning allowed for Chini by-election

Election Commission chairman Azhar Azizan Harun (right) inspects preparations for nominations for the Chini by-election at the nomination centre in Pekan, Pahang, today. (Bernama pic)

PEKAN: The Election Commission (EC) has given the approval for ceramahs, walkabouts and door-to-door campaigning for the Chini state by-election.

Its chairman Azhar Azizan Harun said the organisers must, however, ensure compliance with election rules as well as SOPs such as social distancing, wearing of face masks, taking of body temperature, and recording of attendance.

Nominations will be held tomorrow and, if there is a contest, the by-election will be held on July 4.

Azhar said ceramahs may be held only indoors and limited to 250 participants, depending on the size of the venue.

For walkabouts and door-to-door campaigning, only three participants from each candidate are allowed at any one time, he said after visiting the nomination centre at National Youth Skills Training Institute here today.

They must also comply with SOPs by not shaking hands, and practising social distancing.

Azhar also encouraged those standing for the by-election to maximise the use of social media for their campaign.

The Chini seat is one of the four state constituencies under the Pekan parliamentary constituency. It is the first time that a by-election is being held following the enforcement of the movement control order on March 18.

The by-election follows the death of the incumbent, Abu Bakar Harun of Barisan Nasional, from a heart attack on May 6. In the 14th general election, Bakar won the seat by 4,622 votes, beating Mohd Fadhil Noor Abdul Karim of PAS and Mohamad Razali Ithnain of PKR.

BN has named Pekan Umno division committee member Mohd Sharim Md Zain as its candidate. PAS and PKR have said they are not contesting. - FMT