KUCHING: Rise of Social Efforts Association (ROSE) has called for the postponement of the upcoming state polls in view of the increase in positive Covid-19 cases.
In a statement on Sunday (Oct 4), the association pointed out that the ruling state government still had until June next year to renew its mandate, adding that it would be more prudent to ensure the flattening of the Covid-19 curve first.
“The number of positive Covid-19 cases nationwide has been steadily increasing and yesterday (Oct 3), there were 317 new cases.
“As such, during this outbreak, it will be highly irresponsible to call for the Sarawak state elections now or before the year ends,” it said.
ROSE said despite calls by the Election Commission (EC) for candidates and contesting parties to conduct online campaigning, it was inevitable all elections required candidates to campaign by meeting people face-to-face, gathering in large groups or holding talks.
Unless politicians, campaigners and other stakeholders acted responsibly and observed the wearing of face masks, physical distancing and all other standard operating procedures (SOPs) in all their campaigning activities, the association said the campaigning period would trigger spikes in Covid-19 cases such as in Sabah.
“If the state elections are called soon or before the third wave abates, the people will not feel safe to go out to vote or to come home to vote.
“This was borne out by the turnout in the recently concluded Sabah state elections where the percentage turnout was less than what was anticipated by the EC,” it added.
ROSE also said an election held anytime soon would effectively disenfranchise many young voters who had left the state to work or study in West Malaysia.
“Although the EC has identified absentee voting as one of its reforms in its Reform Action Plan, it has yet to come up with any recommendations or proposals including the option of postal voting despite the many calls for ‘out-of-region’ voting for Sarawakians who live, study or work in West Malaysia or Sabah.
“Other than the usual high costs of travel and time taken, any travel will pose safety and health risks to those who come back to Sarawak to vote.
“Another deterrence or barrier will be likelihoods of quarantine requirements after voters exit their home state.”
The association added that last July, the EC announced its Reform Action Plan under which six policy committees were formed to work on various aspects of improving the process of elections.
“We note that the Committee on Absentee Voters took cognisance of these calls to enfranchise East Malaysian voters living or working away from their home state in Peninsular Malaysia by enabling them to vote ‘out-of-region’ by reforming the absentee voting and postal vote process.
“While we understand why the EC is saying that the method to be used has to be safe and secure and with integrity, there is a real need to fast track these reforms,” said ROSE.
Despite the pandemic, it said Malaysia was just like any other democratic country with the need to conduct elections from time to time in order to elect its representatives and government at various levels.
“Along with other civil society working on free and fair elections, we call on the EC to give us a definite roadmap and timeline for the implementation of these ‘out-of-region’ voters.
“We therefore appeal to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg to review priorities and put the people first.
“The best mandate is where more people can vote and indeed feel safe to go out or come back to vote.”
