10-25-2021, 11:32 AM
![[Image: 22092020-SBH-early_voting_voter_election-sairien.jpg]](https://media.thevibes.com/images/uploads/covers/_large/22092020-SBH-early_voting_voter_election-sairien.jpg)
KUALA LUMPUR – The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0) is calling on Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin to reconsider the total ban on physical gatherings for the upcoming Melaka election.
It expressed concern that, as state media agencies have a tendency to give wider coverage to parties aligned with the ruling coalition, opposition candidates will be placed at a disadvantage.
Instead, the election watchdog suggested the government implement stricter enforcement of standard operating procedures (SOPs) under the National Recovery Plan by increasing the number of enforcers during campaigning.
It said any violators should be fined or prosecuted under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, regardless of their political affiliations.
“While we acknowledge that the risk is real and precautions are necessary, such a total ban is a suppression of all candidates’ right to campaign and express themselves, the voters’ right to make an informed decision by hearing from the candidates and, ultimately, is a suppression of democracy itself,” it said in a statement today.
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