CORONAVIRUS | Malaysians must come to terms with the fact that “new norms” in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak will affect all aspects of life, including the country’s democratic processes, Election Commission (EC) chairperson Azhar Harun said.
Azhar (above) said this is reflected in the new standard operating procedures (SOP) announced in place for the forthcoming Chini by-election which, among others, disallows traditional ceramah gatherings and house-to-house campaigning.
“I am of course conscious of the fact that when there can be no ceramah, gatherings, and house-to-house campaigning, it may be argued that the effectiveness of the democratic process is somewhat lessened.
“But the Covid-19 situation presents grave risks towards the citizenry as a whole and we cannot take the chance.
“This is the new norm that we have to live with, even with the electoral process.
“It is time for everyone to realise that new norms (will affect) not just how we go to the market or go to school, but also how we vote and campaign.
“It covers all aspects of our lives, whether we like it or not... this is the best we can do,” Azhar told Malaysiakini.
Yet, the silver lining to this situation, he said, was that the country could begin looking for new and innovative ways for campaigning or to carry out the electoral process.
'The SOP is not cast in stone'
When announcing the ban on physical campaigning for the July 4 Chini by-election last Monday, Azhar urged candidates to maximise their online presence via social media.
Even so, the SOP is not “cast in stone” and will be updated in line with any related developments, such as if new measures will be introduced after the recovery movement control order (MCO) is lifted on Aug 31, if another election is called and if progress is made in developing a Covid-19 cure.
The chief of the country’s electoral body was responding to concerns expressed by the chairperson of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Elections, Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (below), over the new conditions for campaigning.
Highlighting the prohibitions on physical campaigning during the campaign trail in Chini - a rural seat - Syed Ibrahim said the principles of a free and fair election, and the democratic process must be upheld, despite the Covid-19 fears.
The PKR leader added that house visits should still be possible if accompanied by strict measures, such as social distancing, wearing of face masks, and visits limited to four people.
However, Azhar said the SOP was derived after a series of engagements with the Health Ministry, National Security Council, National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma), and the police.
“I need to stress that permission to campaign and the issuance of permits are not within the EC’s jurisdiction but with the police, under the Elections Act and Election Offences Act.
“But being the election body in the country, we engaged these four bodies... in light of the Covid-19 situation in the country.
“In line with the recovery MCO, where large gatherings of people are not allowed, it was agreed that in Chini, any physical campaigning will not be allowed.”
Azhar, who served as a human rights lawyer before taking up the EC post, added: “The SOP is focused on preventing or lowering the Covid-19 infection risks as much as possible. We do not want an election cluster.
“Imagine an entourage of five people for one calon (candidate) and one of them has Covid-19. How many households would be infected (with door-to-door visits)?”
As for Syed Ibrahim’s call for the EC to work with media organisations to ensure all candidates are accorded fair and reasonable reach, Azhar said he has no power to compel the media to do so, especially the non-government media.
Yet, he “implored” upon all media companies to “consider giving coverage to the opposition” and create a somewhat level playing field.
On the suggestion the EC presents amendments to the relevant election laws and procedures to reflect the “new normal” in the wake of Covid-19, he responded that none were needed as Malaysia already allows representatives, such as a proposer, to be present for the candidates on nomination day, and allows postal voting.
“It is just a matter of utilisation,” Azhar added. - Mkini
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