MIRI – Sarawak PKR vice-chairman Dr Teo Yu Keng accused the Election Commission (EC) of not wanting to meet the party’s state leaders to discuss important matters in relation to the upcoming 12th state election.
“There are only two days left before the EC holds its meeting in Kuching to decide on the dates for nomination of candidates and polling.
“We in PKR have tried hard for the past two weeks to secure a meeting with the EC top brass. We have written official letters to them asking them to meet us urgently.
“However, until now, they have refused to set a meeting with us,” he told The Vibes today.
The Miri MP said it is disheartening that the EC seems to be not bothered about the views of political parties other than those in government.
He said that issues such as the nomination and polling dates, length of the campaigning period, and standard operating procedures must be openly discussed before the EC makes its decision.
“In matters as important as a state or parliamentary election, the needs and concerns of all parties across the political divide must be taken into consideration.
“Otherwise, there is no fair play. The EC must be neutral and just to all parties and independent candidates too,” he said.
Teo said PKR will continue to fight for the polling date to be set for January 2 in order to allow new young voters under Undi18, the lowering of the voting age from 21 to 18, and those under the new voters’ registration exercise to be able to cast their ballots starting January next year.
This is in light of the Kuching High Court’s ruling that the government must implement Undi18 and the related amendments by December 31, following a judicial review application.
He accused the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) of wanting polling to be held this year to deny these new voters their rights.
“The EC must be neutral and set a date for polling that will enable the new voters to exercise their democratic rights,” he said.
Teo, a medical doctor, also appealed to the EC to look at another very crucial issue before setting the polling date – the expected surge in Covid-19 outbreaks in December.
“The Health Ministry, Health Department and many concerned medical and health professionals have expressed worries about the latest data pointing to an imminent surge in infections next month.”
He stressed that this is a life and death issue involving the people.
“The data on imminent infection surges is not a political view,” he said, adding that the EC should not take the warnings lightly.
It is still not too late for the EC to arrange a meeting with the state PKR before it convenes its meeting, he added. – The Vibes, November 22, 2021
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