ELECTION campaigns will no longer be limited to 250 people, said the Election Commission. 

“It will depend on the size of the venue and whether adequate social distancing can be observed,” EC deputy chairman Dr Azmi Sharom told a press conference to announce the Slim by-election dates in Putrajaya today.

The EC will enforce the enhanced Covid-19 prevention procedures used during the Chini by-election earlier this month, he said.

The EC had initially limited campaign crowds to 100 for the Chini by-election but changed it to 250 mid-way during the campaign.

Azmi said the Covid-19 preventive measures will be used during the EC briefing sessions, nomination, early voting, polling and vote counting process.

The seat was vacated on July 15 following the death of assemblyman Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib at Bentong Hospital, Pahang.

The 59-year-old four-term assemblyman collapsed while playing golf at the Awana Genting Highlands Golf and Country Resort before he was rushed to hospital.

Khusairi, who was the Tanjong Malim Umno chief, obtained 8,327 votes in the three-cornered fight against Bersatu’s Mohd Amran Ibrahim (6,144) and PAS’ Muhammad Zulfadli Zainal (4,103) during the last general election in 2018.

For this by-election, there are 23,094 voters comprising of 22,815 regular voters, 277 early voters and two overseas voters.

Polling for the Slim state seat by-election in Perak will be held on August 29 with nomination on August 15. Early voting is on August 25. – July 23, 2020.