PARTIES will be allowed to hold physical ceramah again in the upcoming Johor elections, despite the rising number of Covid-19 infections, according to the National Security Council.

However, the council did stipulate conditions for gatherings, which can only be held parties’ official premises or operation rooms, and limited to a maximum of 100 people.

The council added that only fully vaccinated people can attend, in standard operating procedures (SOP) released late last night.

Johor will head to the polls on March 12 with nominations on February 26 and early voting on March 8.

According to the SOP, ceramah cannot be held in open areas and must not have any additional forms of entertainment.

The ceramah can only be held for two hours and must end by 10pm. Organisers are also required to open counters to check the Covid-19 status of attendants, monitor numbers and turn away anyone displaying Covid-19 symptoms.

However, the final go-ahead is still subject to police permission, the council said.

Nevertheless, candidates can do walkabouts and make home visits, subject to a maximum of five people in a group, a departure from the two previous state elections in Malacca and Sarawak.

Campaigners are not allowed to enter homes and can only distribute campaign materials outside.

The EC has revised the election SOP following the low voter turnouts seen in previous state elections held during the pandemic.

In Malacca on November 20 last year, only 65.85% of eligible voters cast their ballots compared to 84.52% in the 2018 elections.

The turnout for the Sarawak elections on December 18 was even lower at 60.67%, compared to 68.33% in 2016. – February 19, 2022.