Will GE15 be free and fair given impending floods?

 

To the Election Commission (EC): what does it mean for the outcome of the general election when, for example, Malaysians in Malacca, Johor, and Negeri Sembilan go to the polls while those in Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang can’t as polling stations are underwater?

Would the polls be free and fair if only citizens in certain parts of the country get to vote?

The nomination day is less than 48 hours away. So, we need a response now.

And please don’t tell me this is a hypothetical question because if the EC actually had a #undibanjir contingency plan, it would have looked at all possibilities. The EC would also have made the plan public.

We also have other concerns because we haven’t heard a peep from the EC although the Meteorological Department of Malaysia (METMalaysia) has forecasted thunderstorms in twelve states on nomination day this Saturday. 

What happens if it floods on polling day? How will Malaysians cast their votes if the roads to the polling centres are flooded?

Your mitigation plans are crucial so that people are prepared and can make travel plans in the eventuality of floods or heavy rains leading to the polling day.

And more importantly, it could save lives. 

We have seen more than ten instances of flooding all over the country in the past month, despite the brunt of the Northeast monsoon expected only in November.

How are schools to be used concurrently as polling centres and evacuation centres if it floods on Nov 19?

Most Malaysians don’t have four-wheel drives to wade through floodwaters, and therefore, how will those with smaller cars and worse, motorbikes manage to make the trip? Is any of this even feasible?

I have raised these issues before. It’s been one month since my first letter to the EC but the commission has not bothered to respond.

My TikTok video on the same issue has over 350,000 views, with a large section of Malaysians echoing the same concerns but the EC doesn’t seem to care. 

We have more questions as to whether polling stations would be closed if it rains more than 100mm.

Or what happens when main roads adjacent to polling centres are inaccessible?

Or what does it take for the EC to postpone elections and if many districts simultaneously flooding meets the requirement? 

Just too many questions, I know. So, why the deafening silence? - Mkini

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CHARLES SANTIAGO is incumbent Klang MP.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.