ALTHOUGH the Election Commission (EC) has set the date for polling day, there are still many questions it must be answered regarding the conduct of election during the monsoon season, polls watchdog Bersih said.

It said the EC has yet to announce the SOP to be referred to if there was major flooding during the election period.

“For example, if flooding occurs on early voting day and normal ballot casting day, what is the SOP?

“The EC needs to immediately announce the SOP so that all parties, especially political parties, candidates and responsible agencies can prepare for the worse outcome,” said Bersih in a statement.

Citing the floods in Langkawi and Terengganu, it asked how the EC would conduct the polls if the floods were to continue.

“Will the general election be postponed if the situation worsens?”

Today, the EC has set November 19 as polling day for the 2022 general election. 

Nomination day is on November 5 and early polling will be held on November 15. 

EC chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh made the announcement at a press conference after chairing a special meeting on the general election in Putrajaya today.

Pahang, Perlis, and Perak will also be holding their state polls on the same dates. 

Meanwhile, Bersih condemned the EC for not extending the campaign period from 14 days to 21 days.

Bersih also urged the EC to extend the closing period for category 1B (overseas postal vote) applications which will close on October 23 for at least another week, and the closing date for category 1C (agencies/organisations) postal vote applications on October 26.

“Bersih is disappointed that the EC still did not set a minimum election campaign period of 21 days to give space to the machinery of the contesting parties to meet the people considering that there is an increase of almost 6 million voters compared to the 2018 general election.

“In addition, the minimum period of 21 days will also give postal voters abroad more time to send their ballot papers to the returning officer before the time of vote counting.

“Since the EC has just announced the date of GE15 today, it is likely that many overseas voters are aware of applying as postal voters to the EC,” Bersih stressed.

Beginning October 31, electors will be able to check their voting details, including polling centres and voting streams, on at https://mysprsemak.spr.gov.my or by calling the EC hotline at 03-8892 7018/03-8888 0040 or via the MySPR Semak mobile app. – October 20, 2022.