PUTRAJAYA – The Health Ministry (MoH) will recommend to the Election Commission (EC) to adopt existing Covid-19 prevention standard operating procedures (SOP) in the upcoming state election and the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election, said its minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
Speaking to the media after her ministry-level national month and the Fly the Jalur Gemilang 2023 launch here today, she said that MoH would also hold discussions with relevant agencies and departments, including the EC, if SOPs for Covid-19 prevention need to be improved or revised based on the current situation.
Among existing SOPs for Covid-19 prevention – as applied in the 15th general election – is to allow Covid-19-positive individuals to vote, but they are subjected to certain SOPs, she said.
“We will hold a discussion with the EC, National Security Council and agencies to see if it is necessary to carry out measures that are different from the normal SOP,” she said.
The EC has fixed for state elections in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan as well as the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat by-election to be held simultaneously, with August 12 set as polling day and July 29 as nomination day. – Bernama, July 20, 2023
