SHAH ALAM - The Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) has urged the Election Commission (EC) to outline the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the 15th General Election (GE15) soon.
Electoral watchdog said preparations should be done as GE15 will be held during the flood season.
"EC needs to immediately announce the SOPs so that all parties, especially political parties, candidates and agencies could make necessary preparations for the floods.
"On Oct 16, flash floods in Langkawi affected 30 areas, with 38,118 voters affected and thunderstorms alone had destroyed more than 60 houses in seven villages in Besut, Terengganu.
"If a similar disaster occurs (during the election), what are the SOPs to continue or postpone the election in the voting district, or even worse, the postponement of GE15 (nationwide),” it said in a statement, today.
Bersih also expressed disappointment over the 14-day campaigning period provided compared to the minimum 21 days as there were additional voters of over six million compared to GE14.
"Besides, the minimum period of 21 days will also give more time to postal voters outside the country to submit their ballot papers in time for vote counting,” it said.
The coalition also urged EC to extend the closing date for Malaysian voters overseas to apply to be postal voters.
Earlier, the EC announced that polling for GE15 will be held on Nov 19, which is a Saturday.
Meanwhile, the nomination date falls on Nov 5 and early voting has been fixed on Nov 15.