EC says no stopping Batu Sapi by-election barring ’emergency’

 

EC chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh says online voting can only be allowed if the law is amended. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: The Election Commission (EC) says the Batu Sapi by-election can be delayed if the area is declared a Covid-19 red zone.

According to a Sinar Harian report, EC chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh said they were required by law to hold a by-election for the parliamentary constituency within 60 days following the death of its incumbent, Liew Vui Keong.

“So within 60 days, the EC needs to take action to fill that vacancy unless the government declares the Batu Sapi area as a red zone, where the outbreak is so bad it cannot be controlled and there is an emergency.

“Only then can we consider postponing the by-election,” he said in commenting on objections from certain parties against holding a by-election in Batu Sapi amid the spike in Covid-19 cases in Sabah.

On proposals for the voting to be done online, Ghani said this could not be done as amendments to the law would need to be made first.

The Batu Sapi seat was won by Liew in a four-cornered fight in the 14th general election on May 9, 2018. He had a majority of 4,619 votes.

Liew died on Oct 2 and a by-election needs to be held within 60 days from the date the Election Commission declares the seat vacant. - FMT