KUCHING – The Election Commission (EC) does not allow interstate travel to Sarawak for campaigning activities during the 12th state election, except for the top five leaders of contesting political parties.
The EC, on its official website, stated that entry to Sarawak is subject to the standard operating procedures (SOPs) currently in force, and is limited to activities approved in applications through the enterSarawak portal.
“The names of top party leaders must be submitted to the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC),” the EC said in the latest Covid-19 SOP for the Sarawak election, which was updated today.
The EC stressed that campaigning activities are allowed within the respective state constituencies. Cross-constituency campaigning is disallowed.
“Exceptions are given to contesting political parties to submit 15 names of their senior leaders for interstate purposes to SDMC and the EC.
“Only a maximum of five senior political party leaders – including accompanying officers, bodyguards, and drivers (excluding candidates and election agents) – for each contesting political party are allowed to cross constituencies for campaigning at any one location and time.
“All those involved must be fully vaccinated,” the EC said.
Permission for inter-district or interstate travel for voting purposes is subject to the instructions in force, it said.
It added that voters in localities placed under the enhanced movement control order must undergo a Rapid Test Kit-Antigen within 24 hours before polling day.
“Only voters who test negative for Covid-19 and have permission from the Royal Malaysia Police would be allowed to go out to vote. Voters must submit documents, such as voter information, through the MySPR Semak app or the EC portal to receive police approval,” the EC said.
Voters who test positive for Covid-19 are not allowed to leave their houses or quarantine centres to vote, in accordance with the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988.
Meanwhile, those categorised as a person under investigation (PUI) or person under surveillance (PUS) for Covid-19 must first obtain permission to vote from their respective district health officers, subject to an infection risk assessment.
“These individuals (PUI and PUS) are required to use their (own private) transport to the polling centre, and the usage of public transport is disallowed,” the EC said.
The EC has set tomorrow as nomination day, while early voting is on December 14 and polling day on December 18. – Bernama, December 5, 2021
