Bersih: It's unconstitutional to block Covid-19 patients from voting

 

JOHOR POLLS | Bersih said the authorities' move to prevent Covid-19 patients to vote goes against their constitutional right.

The electoral reform group acknowledged the health concerns but said the Election Commission (EC) had a duty to introduce procedures that would accommodate this segment of voters.

"Bersih's position is that the EC needs to accommodate voters who are Covid-19 positive as their right is guaranteed under Article 119 of the Federal Constitution.

"Depriving people of their right to vote goes against the Federal Constitution," said Bersih election observer coordinator Ashraf Sharafi.

Under Article 119(2), the criteria that disqualify a person from voting are if the person is being treated for "mental illness or mental defectiveness" or is being detained in custody.

Earlier today, a woman who was Covid-19 positive was slapped with RM1,000 fine after turning up to vote in Larkin.

This was after health authorities checked her MySejahtera application which showed her status was red - indicating that she is a Covid-19 patient.

The woman claimed she did not know that she was not allowed to vote while under quarantine, according to Free Malaysia Today.

Lawyer Ainie Haziqah shared on Twitter that a relative who was Covid-19 positive was warned by authorities not to vote.

"My aunty in Bukit Pasir was warned by three policemen who came to her house, that she’s Covid-10 positive and cannot go out to vote. If she does she will be fined RM5,000," said Ainie.

My aunty in Bukit Pasir was warned by 3 policemen who came to her house, that she’s Covid positive and CANNOT go out to vote, if not she will be fined RM5k !

Why is she denied her RIGHT? https://t.co/bY6GnPNMr8

— Ainie Haziqah (@AinieHaziqah) March 12, 2022

Under the EC’s procedure for the Johor polls, it will facilitate people suspected of having been infected by Covid-19 to vote at a booth separated from other voters.

This is if they show symptoms of infection. However, the EC has refused to allow people to vote if they have been confirmed as Covid-19 positive prior to turning up at the polling stations.

Meanwhile, a Health Ministry spokesperson said: "The standard operating procedure was the result of multi-agencies discussion and advice and has been agreed upon before it was finally put out." - Mkini