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KUALA SELANGOR – No special lane will be allocated for Covid-19-positive individuals to vote in the 15th general election (GE15) but they must wear face masks, said caretaker health minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
He said the Election Commission and his ministry have concluded that it was the best option for these voters, after taking into consideration the resources available and other constraints.
“There cannot be a special lane… we have arrived at the best option after taking into consideration the available resources and constraints like space and manpower.
“So the standard operating procedure is as what has been announced by Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah,” he said after attending a programme at Universiti Teknologi Mara’s Puncak Alam campus, here today.
On Monday, Dr Noor Hisham said Covid-19 positive individuals must wear face masks while casting their ballots, while the use of face masks for other voters is strongly encouraged.
Voters who tested positive for Covid-19 are also not allowed to ride in public vehicles, including e-hailing rides, he said.
Meanwhile, commenting on a viral recording showing him being scolded by a female Sg Buloh voter, Khairy said it was the woman’s right to do so.
“No problem. We deal with voters and I decided to do a walkabout without filtering. We meet every level of society and not just those who support us. Of course, there will be those who are disgruntled and they are free to express themselves.
“In yesterday’s incident, her sister was asking for assistance which she insisted that we give her immediately. I said that was impossible. I would be committing an election offence,” he said.
Khairy also agreed with caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s statement today that Umno’s party polls should not be discussed during the GE15 campaign period, saying the focus now should be on the national polls.
Khairy said he was only replying to a question from the interview yesterday but added that it was clear the public would like to see new faces in Barisan Nasional (BN), which would signify the coalition’s rejuvenation.
Ismail Sabri today said the Umno election should not be discussed during the campaigning period because the focus should be fully on ensuring a BN victory in GE15. – Bernama, November 16, 2022