THE Health Ministry must reconsider its ban on physical gatherings during the Malacca state elections, polls watchdog Bersih 2.0 said today.

Instead, it said, the ministry should introduce alternatives and implement stricter enforcement of Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP).

It said the Election Commission (EC) could extend polling to three days to reduce crowds at polling centres and ensure campaigning is carried out in compliance with the SOP, including by having only sit-in ceramah and limiting the number of people allowed to do house visits. 

It said the number of enforcement officers can also be increased during the period of the polls to ensure the SOP are adhered to.

“Any violators, regardless of party affiliations, should be fined or prosecuted under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988,” it said in a statement.

Bersih was referring to Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin’s announcement yesterday that all assemblies and gatherings in connection with the Malacca polls are banned until November 27.

The state goes to the polls on November 20. 

Khairy said the ban is aimed at minimising the risk of Covid-19 transmissions, which, he said, remained high in the state.

Bersih said EC can introduce new rules and requirements as alternatives so that the restrictions do not suppress the rights of parties and candidates to campaign.

It said it should introduce a seven-day period for candidates to file their nomination papers at the Malacca EC office and to have them checked and mistakes corrected before the end of nomination.

By doing this, “surprise” rejections can be avoided, it said.

“The list of successful candidates can be displayed online on nomination day at 10am. This will remove the need for political parties’ supporters and candidates to gather at nomination centres throughout Malacca,” it said.

As for the campaign period, Bersih suggested that chairs are placed at least a metre apart for political gatherings, with all attendees seated.

“This should apply also to small gatherings at coffee shops and day or night markets. Masks must be worn at all times by all speakers and attendees,” it said.

Bersih said for house-to-house visits, the number of people allowed to be part of a group be limited to five and they must not enter the house or be at least two metres away from households when speaking.

It said EC could call on government-owned TV and radio broadcasters to provide designated time slots for political broadcasts to all contesting parties and independents, including organising debates between chief ministerial candidates. 

The time allotted should be equal regardless of party, it said.

On polling day, Bersih said, EC can extend voting to three days to reduce crowding.

“(EC) can designate day and time slots for different categories of people according to age groups. This could also reduce the need for multiple ‘saluran’ (streams) manned by multiple sets of election workers,” it said.

Bersih said the Malacca polls allow EC an opportunity to introduce new and innovative ways so that the important task of participating in an election is not suppressed during an epidemic. – October 25, 2021.