Johor polls: Health groups want physical campaigning banned

 

JOHOR POLLS | A coalition of health groups has called for physical campaigning to be banned in the upcoming Johor election.

However, should the Omicron surge worsen, they want the government to consider postponing the polls altogether.

Tomorrow (Feb 26) is nomination day while polling day has been set for March 12.

The country has seen a rise in Covid-19 infections in recent days, hitting a record high of 32,070 yesterday. Of the 286,587 active infections, just 2.8 percent (8,039 cases) were hospitalised.

In a statement today, the Malaysian Health Coalition said this surge warranted caution as it risked affecting the ability of healthcare workers to cope.

Tighter SOP needed

It proposed that the Election Commission (EC) tighten campaigning rules while also guaranteeing all had access to the ballot box.

“We believe that physical campaigning should be banned and enforcement be strict and fair.

“The EC should also immediately begin implementing new mechanisms to enable more comprehensive postal or electronic voting while protecting against fraud,” it said.

The coalition was further concerned about the effect of the Johor election on the Omicron surge.

This was especially since Omicron was more infectious, the increase of voters due to Undi18 and automatic voter registration, and a less than ideal booster take-up rate.

“Johor will see more registered voters moving around the state, with Undi18 implemented for the first time. (This will be) two times more (voters) than Sarawak and five times more than Malacca.

“If the epidemiological situation worsens, we will have to consider the drastic step of postponing the election,” the coalition said.

The EC previously announced that physical campaigning like house visits and walkabouts will be allowed for the Johor polls.

Physical ceramah would also be allowed but this was limited to 100 people, among other criteria.

The Malaysian Health Coalition comprises 23 organisations including the Academy of Medicine Malaysia, Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia, Malaysians Nurses Association and the Malaysian Public Health Physicians’ Association.

It is also made up of medical professionals such as Dr Amar Singh HSS, Dr Khor Swee Kheng and professor Dr Zaleha Abdullah Mahdy. - Mkini