Ban Physical Campaigning During Malacca Polls Mma Urges Ec

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The Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) has urged the Election Commission (EC) to ban all forms of physical campaigning during the upcoming Malacca snap election to avoid another surge of Covid-19 cases.
The group said people should not let their guard down despite the country is now in the recovery phase of Covid-19, and stressed all campaigns should be done on digital or virtual platforms.
“We strongly advise against the traditional way of political campaigning as any physical, face to face meetings between politicians and the people can lead to increased close contact and spread of Covid-19 in the state and even nationwide now that interstate travel is allowed.
“In the best interest of the people’s health and safety, the usual ‘old norm’ of political campaigning which involves house to house visits, gatherings and ceramah should be avoided,” the group said in a statement today.
It said even though the Covid-19 vaccination rate is at 90 percent, the virus is still spreading among those fully vaccinated and can transmit to high-risk individuals such as children under-12 who are yet to be vaccinated.
“Recently, the Health DG had also expressed concern over the possibility that new variants could emerge from increased close contact during the Malacca polls campaigning period,” it added.
Strict SOPs may not be enough 
MMA cautioned the strict SOPs promised by authorities may not be enough to contain another outbreak and cited the Sabah poll last year, which resulted in the third Covid-19 wave in the country.  
“Although the authorities have given the assurance that strict SOPs will be in place, the question we should also be asking is who will be responsible if cases surge again in Malacca?
“The mistakes and failures to control the spread of Covid-19 during the Sabah state elections held last year must not be repeated in Malacca.
“There has to be and we must all insist on full accountability this time around,” the group said.
Malaccans will go to the polls on Nov 20, after the state assembly was dissolved earlier this month. 
The nomination day is set on Nov 8, followed by 12 days of the campaign period.
EC chairperson Abdul Ghani Salleh has promised strict SOPs at the polling stations and time slots for different age groups of voters are expected to be implemented to reduce crowding.  - Mkini

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