Putrajaya to discuss with EC on strict SOP for Batu Sapi by-election

Putrajaya will discuss with the Election Commission on a strict standard operating procedure (SOP) for the Batu Sapi parliamentary constituency by-election by Thursday.

Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, in his media conference, said the government has no power to postpone or call off the by-election as the matter is stipulated under the Federal Constitution.

He said this to answer the media's question on whether the Batu Sapi by-election would go on amid the rising number of Covid-19 cases in Sabah.

"When the Parliament or the state assembly is dissolved, or a seat is vacant following a death (of the incumbent representative), under the Federal Constitution, an election must be held within 60 days.

"So, the government has no power to decide. The Batu Sapi by-election has to go on. There's no other choice.

"However, we understand the fear among Batu Sapi folks (due to Covid-19). I was made to understand that even the election staff won't dare to work during the by-election.

"So, we will call the EC either tomorrow or Thursday to present us a strict SOP to ensure the health of the voters there," he said.

Ismail added that the EC will issue an SOP to reduce the movement and contact among individuals throughout the by-election campaign.

For the record, the EC had set nomination day for Nov 23 while early voting was fixed for Dec 1.

It had encouraged candidates to conduct virtual campaigns instead of using traditional methods such as ceramah, gatherings and house-to-house visits.

The Batu Sapi by-election was called following the demise of former de facto law minister Liew Vui Keong on Oct 2.

Batu Sapi, which is under the Sandakan district, is a seat traditionally won by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) until the 2018 general election.

In the last polls, Liew, who contested under the Warisan ticket, wrested the seat from PBS' Linda Tsen with a majority of 4,619 votes. - Mkini