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PETALING JAYA: Postponing the Batu Sapi by-elections is one way to avoid another increase in the spread of Covid-19.
If not, alternative ways are needed for voters to cast their votes and improved enforcement of standard operating procedures (SOPs) to keep people safe.
These are some of the proposals to address the threat of another surge in new infections that the by-elections are expected to trigger.
Political analyst associate professor Dr. Awang Azman Awang Pawi said that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Nasional could agree not to participate in the Batu Sapi by-elections to avoid a repeat of the increase in infection after the recent elections of Sabah.
The wide spread of infections has been attributed to a lack of social distancing and ignorance of other SOPs during the campaign period.
Batu Sapi’s parliamentary seat was vacated after its incumbent, Datuk Liew Vui Keong, succumbed to a lung infection on October 2.
According to the Federal Constitution, the Electoral Commission (EC) has to hold partial elections within 60 days.
Election regulator Bersih 2.0 chairman Thomas Fann said voters can cast their votes by mail.
“You can send your ballot by mail or deliver it to the designated offices of the EC,” he told the Sun yesterday.
He noted that frontline workers in Semporna now refer to Sabah as “Little Wuhan” because of the severity of the pandemic there.
Fann said the EC should make voting by mail easier to protect the people.
“But if there are those who still want to cast their vote on election day, the SOP should be stricter.”
He said that CE workers and volunteers must be properly trained to prevent people from violating the SOP.
“It is essential that the SOP for by-elections is stricter and more rigid compared to the current ones and there must be a greater awareness of the importance of respecting the rules.”
Fann added that there have been many times when poll workers were not complying with the SOP. “They don’t wear gloves as required, they are poorly trained and they don’t follow all the rules.”
Awang Azman agrees that increased awareness is essential.
“Urban dwellers can understand why a politician avoids shaking hands, but for those who live in rural areas, this may seem disrespectful,” he said.
“This is why we need people to understand that these SOPs need to be implemented. The government has a lot to do when it comes to raising awareness on this issue.
On the possibility of using an electronic voting system, he said it must be proven that it is transparent and effective before the government can consider it as an option.
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