By-election to use special SOP
Chini polls to have thorough measures against Covid-19 for the first time
A special standard operating procedure (SOP) for the Chini state by-election in the post-Covid-19 pandemic environment would be used for the first time today, followed by the polling day on Saturday.
Pahang Health Department senior assistant director (surveillance) Dr Che Asiah Taib said Election Commission (EC) staff would check voters for symptoms at the entrance of every polling centre.
“A special station will be prepared for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.
“Those with a body temperature above 37.5°C, cough or flu must be separated and then placed in a special tent where they will cast their votes.
“These voters will then be asked to wear latex gloves, unlike the others.
“After the process, we will assess them for further medical attention,” she said at a briefing here.
Dr Che Asiah said three to five medical personnel would be stationed at each polling centre.
Among the other guidelines were the wearing of face masks and the use of hand sanitiser before and after voting.
Unlike in past elections where a voter’s finger was dipped into a bottle of indelible ink, a brush would be used for each voter this time and then disposed of.
After marking the voter’s finger, EC staff would then place plastic gloves on the voter’s hands.
Dr Che Asiah also said social distancing would be strictly maintained and voters who ignored the warnings could be fined up to RM1,000.
She said the measures had to be undertaken since there were concerns over voters coming in from yellow or red zones.
Meanwhile, Pekan police chief Supt Mohd Razli Mohd Yusof said there would be strict security enforcements on polling day and roadblocks would be mounted near the tallying centre at Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara,
He said mobile patrol vehicles would be patrolling Jalan Kuantan-Segamat near the centre and order any supporters who showed up to leave the location.
Up to 400m of barricade would be put up on both sides of the road, he said.
Supt Mohd Razli also said only Bernama and RTM were allowed at the tallying centre.