KUALA LUMPUR – All elections should be held only after the Covid-19 threat has passed, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.
He told an interview with Buletin Awani today that this is to ensure the people’s full participation, which would currently be hindered due to movement curbs and health standard operating procedures to combat the coronavirus.
“We want the election to be as free, fair and open as possible. That is democracy, but if there are a lot of SOPs and restrictions, is democracy still preserved in the context of controlled elections?”
He said the best move is to not hold polls for now.
“It’s not to avoid an election, but to postpone it. Perhaps, one way is to declare a state of emergency in an area, but not for politics... (but) to ensure that the people can participate fully and effectively in the election process.”
The Election Commission has set December 5 for the Batu Sapi by-election, while the Sarawak polls are due when the state assembly ends its term on June 7 next year. – Bernama, November 1, 2020
