The Election Commission (EC) is preparing for the possibility of having to hold the next general election only after the Covid-19 pandemic, said de facto law minister Takiyuddin Hassan.
This is how he responded to Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BN-Bagan Datuk) who questioned the preparedness of the EC in facing the 15th general election (GE15) during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The EC is making thorough planning to face the possibility of GE15 being held in the post-Covid-19 period.
"This is important to ensure that the handling of the polls is conducted safely, smoothly and perfectly," said Takiyuddin in a parliamentary reply yesterday.
"The EC, with the cooperation of the Health Ministry and the National Security Council (NSC), has drafted and prepared a guideline for the implementation of elections, be it the general election or for by-elections.
"The guidelines will be standardised with the movement control order (MCO) under Act 342 (Prevention and Control Infectious Diseases Act 1988)," he said.
The guidelines were imposed for the past few polls including the Sept 26 Sabah state election and the by-elections in Chini and Slim, the PAS secretary-general added.
Zahid had asked: "(I) would like the prime minister to state whether the EC has made any specific study or plan regarding the election's SOP (standard operating procedure) if GE15 has to be done in a situation where the country is still experiencing the Covid-19 pandemic".
The Umno president, together with his party, has repeatedly called for the government to seek a fresh mandate once the pandemic is under control.
This was despite Umno reaffirming its support for Perikatan Nasional and Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, as well as pledging to back Budget 2021 today and all the bills that will be tabled during the current Dewan Rakyat sitting. - Mkini
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