Malacca polls SOP: ceramah and door-to-door banned, mobile loudspeakers okay

 

MALACCA POLLS | The Election Commission has finally unveiled the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the Malacca polls campaign period.

Unfortunately for campaigners, the SOPs are equally as restrictive as before the official campaign period where the Health Ministry had slapped hefty fines on political parties for any physical events.

The EC unveiled the SOPs today and has also circulated a copy to all election candidates.

According to the circular by the EC, seen by Malaysiakini, no physical campaigns, ceramahs, house visits and walkabouts are permitted throughout the campaign period.

The measures are aimed at curbing the spread of Covid-19.

The following are details of the SOPs:

One operations centre only

Candidates are only allowed to have one election operations centre in a constituency. In the past, candidates tend to have one operations centre for each polling district.

Some constituencies can have more than 10 polling districts.

Capacity is limited to 50 percent and social distancing must be observed.

Election workers must be tested

The election machinery, including campaigners and the candidates, must undergo Covid-19 self-test every two days for the whole campaign period.

The results must be updated in the MySejahtera app regardless if they are positive or negative. They must pay for the test kits out of their pocket.

Those who test positive will not be allowed to be involved in further campaigning.

Buntings and pamphlets allowed

Pamphlets are also allowed to be distributed in residents’ mailboxes, as long as social distancing is adhered to.

A maximum of three persons is allowed during pamphlet distribution.

Pamphlets are not allowed to be distributed face-to-face to the general public

Candidates and campaigners are also allowed to put up buntings and banners in election areas.

Social media

Candidates are encouraged to use social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, among others, television, and local newspapers to campaign.

Mobile campaigning

Candidates are allowed to campaign via vehicles with speakerphones, during designated hours and with a permit.

These vehicles are not allowed to stop mid-journey to the campaign.

Time and location for campaigning are dependent on permits issued by the police.

All candidates contesting are subjected to the Election Offences Act 1954.

 - Mkini