THERE should be no elections held any time soon as the country is still battling the Covid-19 pandemic, said Health Director-General Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

He said the recent state polls in Sabah showed the consequences of what could happen and this should not be repeated.

The number of Covid-19 infections skyrocketed after the state polls ended on September 26. Those returning from Sabah were also responsible for more infections in the rest of the country.

“We are very concerned if there is going to be another election soon. Our recommendation is not to have an election.

“We have learnt this from Sabah, we do not need to repeat the consequences of having elections elsewhere,” Dr Noor Hisham said in a press conference in Putrajaya today.

Earlier today Senior Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the Batu Sapi by-election scheduled for December 5 will be held if there is a contest.

He said under the federal constitution, it is clear that when there is a vacant parliamentary seat, a by-election must be held within 60 days from the day it becomes vacant.

Yesterday, Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg said the state government will proceed with the 12th Sarawak state election following the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s decision not to allow Putrajaya to declare a state of emergency.

Noor Hisham however said it was only a recommendation from the ministry, and added that if the polls could not be avoided as per the federal constitution, then the ministry would discuss with the EC on how to enhance the standard operating procedure (SOP) and other means to have the elections, including usage of postal votes. 

“We only give recommendations. If (the by-election) cannot be avoided and still need to be carried as per the constitution, then we have to look into SOP, in terms of how we can conduct polls and minimise infection. 

“Maybe we need to look into different means of holding the election. For one, no travelling across borders and districts for the election. 

“Second is no mass gathering and thirdly, no house-to-house visit.

“These are the three main issues we need to discuss with the EC, if we can implement and (even) use postal votes,” he said.  

The nomination day for the by-election will be on November 23, with polling fixed on December 5.

When announcing the dates earlier this month, EC chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh said campaigning should be done online, using social media and videos.

So far, parties that have indicated they will not contest in the by-election are Barisan Nasional, Parti Cinta Sabah and Parti Bersatu Sabah. – October 27, 2020.