More polling centres and streams if GE15 held under new normal

The Election Commission (EC) will set up more polling centres and streams to encourage the people to come out and vote if the 15th general election (GE15) is held under the new normal due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Shabudin Yahaya said this is to allay fear among voters as the pandemic would likely remain for some time more.

“The EC has plans in place to encourage voters to vote. The increase in polling centres and polling streams will speed up the voting process and provide assurance to voters that it will be safe to come out and vote,” he told the Dewan Negara today.

He was replying to Idris Ahmad on government efforts to increase confidence among voters if the pandemic has not ended when GE15 is called.

To Idris’ original question on how prepared the EC is to conduct an election under the new normal, Shabudin said election SOPs to prevent the spread of Covid-19 have already been issued by the health ministry and National Security Council.

“The guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19 will be adapted to the prevailing movement control order under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 utilised during the Chini and Slim by-elections as well as the Sabah state election,” said Shabudin.