KUCHING: The Election Commission (EC) must come up with all the necessary measures to ensure voter’s safety when the 12th state election is called.
Political scientist Prof Dr Jayum Jawan of Universiti Putra Malaysia said the EC would need to issue standard operating procedures (SOPs), devise mechanisms that ensure the safety of election workers and voters alike.
“So far, we have not heard any novel idea from the EC on how the elections can be held safely,” he told New Sarawak Tribune when contacted yesterday.
He was prompted for comments on whether the state election would be held this year with the whole of Sarawak entering phase three of the National Recovery Plan (NRP).
Jayum pointed out that if the state election was to be called this year, it would not be the call of the state government.
“The EC decides on the election based on prevailing regulations under the present medical emergency that has been declared by the federal government or His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said.
He pointed out that the Sarawak Emergency was declared and extended until February next year.
“Thus, the Emergency has to be lifted before the state election can be held any time before February 2022,” said Jayum.
The current Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) tenure ended after five years on June 6, and in view of the nationwide state of emergency which took effect from Jan 12 to Aug 1, the DUN did not dissolve on June 7.
Then in July this year, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had decreed that Sarawak be placed under a Proclamation of Emergency from Aug 2, 2021 to Feb 2, 2022 in view of the Covid-19 situation.
This means that the state election will not be held until the Emergency is lifted.
