KUALA LUMPUR – The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) has proposed several recommendations ahead of the Melaka elections.
In a statement, the election watchdog urged the Election Commission to extend the candidate nomination period for up to five to seven days for submission of applications and to allow time to make the necessary corrections to mistakes made in filling forms.
It said the announcement on successful candidates can also be announced online to avoid political assemblies.
The NGO also recommended that polling day be extended to three days instead of the usual one day, as announced earlier.
It stressed that voting is a fundamental right that should not be denied to anyone and that to reduce jeopardising the health of voters, the commission should open a special route and screening tents for those who have not been fully vaccinated before they can enter polling stations.
On the campaigning period, Bersih 2.0 said media outlets, such as RTM and other mainstream media organisations, can provide equal coverage to all candidates and political parties to promote their manifestoes.
“The EC needs to standardise the size of audiences and tighten the standard operating procedures for general ceramah events,” it said, adding that the candidates for chief ministers can have their public debates broadcast on mainstream media.
“The EC can also set the sizes of billboards that are allowed so that the signboards of independent candidates and small parties can be seen and are not covered by the signboards of large parties,” it said.
“The Melaka elections will serve as a litmus test for the EC’s management of elections.” – The Vibes, October 18, 2021
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