KUCHING: The Election Commission (EC) has no authority to tell anyone when is the right time to hold an election, a Sarawak minister said today.
Speaking to FMT, Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said it is the prerogative of Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg to dissolve the state legislative assembly whenever he decides, to pave the way for the state polls.
He reminded EC chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh that the commission is an independent body with the task of overseeing and conducting elections.
“Does the chairman know when we will be totally safe and free from Covid-19?” he asked.
Yesterday, Ghani told a media conference that it was not the right time to hold a general or state election as the country is still battling Covid-19.
Karim, who is also the state’s tourism, arts, and culture minister, said Singapore and New Zealand had carried out their elections during the Covid-19 pandemic, and even the US presidential election is less than one month away.
“Even in the middle of a pandemic, when it is time for the EC to conduct an election, they must do their job and also look into tightening the Sops for the duration of the election process.
“I believe Abang Johari will also take a lot of matters into consideration before calling for an election. Hence, the state election can be held as long as we adhere to the Sops,” he said.
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