KUANTAN: Ceramah events, mass gatherings and house-to-house campaigning are forbidden during the upcoming Chini by-election, which will take place during the ongoing Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO).
Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun said the prohibitions are among the new standard operating procedures (SOPs) which will be implemented during the by-election.
He said the main guidelines to be focused on are adherence to social distancing measures, wearing of face masks, hand sanitiser use and body temperature recording.
"To ensure social distancing during the campaign, no ceramah events which involve huge gatherings and house-to-house campaigning involving the candidate or party supporters will be allowed.
"Candidates are urged to maximise online campaigning or use social media. When campaigning, the candidate and party are only allowed to open one main operating centre. No smaller subsidiary operating centres or gathering areas are allowed.
"Three EC teams will be monitoring each candidate's campaign activities to ensure compliance with the new SOPs," he said in a statement here, today.
Azhar said on nomination day, the candidates are forbidden from walking in a parade with their supporters or holding any group activities.
"The nomination process will be held in a way similar to previous ones, but processions are not allowed. Only the candidate, a proposer and a seconder will be allowed to enter the nomination centre.
"This will minimise public gatherings and lower the risk of Covid-19 infection around the nomination centre. The same SOPs will be practised by each candidate at the tallying centre when the counting of ballots begins.
"The EC will work closely with the police to ensure the special SOPs are adhered to."
Azhar said on polling day, face masks, hand sanitisers and gloves will be provided at polling stations; and voters will be required to undergo body temperature screening.
"Voters displaying symptoms (of Covid-19) or fail the temperature screening will be allowed to cast their ballots at a special tent monitored by health officers. They would later be ushered away by the health officer for further checks.
"The EC will soon make announcements on procedures for voters who have already tested positive for Covid-19, Persons Under Surveillance (PUS) and Persons Under Investigation (PUI).
"The EC will continue to update the SOPs in line with instructions under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Regulations 1988," he added.
The Chini state assembly seat is vacant following the death of Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Harun, 60. He died at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital from a heart attack, shortly after experiencing breathing difficulty and collapsing.
Nomination day for the by-election is June 20, followed by polling day, on July 4. Early voting has been set for June 30.