Announce SOPs, contingency plan for polls if floods occur, EC told

 

Bersih said the Election Commission and the National Disaster Management Agency would be exposed to legal action if they were ill-prepared for the floods.

PETALING JAYA: Bersih has called on the Election Commission (EC) to announce SOPs and a contingency plan in the event floods occur during the coming general election.

The electoral reform group said the EC’s representatives must also sit on the national, state and district disaster management committees to coordinate election procedures and ensure the people are able to exercise their democratic right to vote without risking their safety.

“The EC’s special meeting tomorrow must also cover the contingency plan to prevent unintended voter suppression caused by floods,” it said in a statement.

“Bersih calls on the EC to produce a transparent and comprehensive SOP on how to handle elections amid floods, with an inclusive decision-making process to build cross-party consensus when difficult decisions need to be made to save lives and preserve democracy.”

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Bersih urged the EC to consult the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) on remedial measures to extend polling hours, provide transportation for voters, set up flood relief centres or postpone elections in affected constituencies, in the event floods occur.

“Should ill-preparation for voting during floods cause avoidable life and property loss as well as a denial of voting rights, it would not just expose the senior officers of the EC and Nadma to suits of negligence but may sink the country further into political instability,” it warned.

The EC is expected to meet tomorrow morning to discuss nomination and polling dates for the general election as well as the Bugaya state by-election in Sabah. - FMT