Batu Sapi by-election on Dec 5 (updated)

Election Commission chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh.

PUTRAJAYA: The polling date for the Batu Sapi by-election has been set for Dec 5.

Announcing this, Election Commission chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh (pic) said a special meeting had fixed Nomination Day for Nov 23.

Early voting to elect a new lawmaker for the parliamentary constituency in Sabah is on Dec 1.

Abdul Ghani said direct, house-to-house campaigning, walkabouts and ceramah would not be allowed during the campaign period to prevent Covid-19 from spreading further..

"We encourage candidates for this by-election to campaign via social media platforms, as direct campaigning exposes those involved to the virus," he said on Tuesday (Oct 13).

During the 12-day campaign, candidates can only operate one command centre and mini operations centres will not be allowed.

Abdul Ghani also said that the EC could not postpone a by-election.

"The Federal Constitution stipulates that the Commission must hold an election within 60 days after it falls vacant.

"This can only be postponed if the government declares an emergency.

"On our part, we can raise the issue and make recommendations if the Covid-19 pandemic turns for the worst. But it has to be the government that makes the decision," he said.

Abdul Ghani also said that the by-election would require an allocation of over RM5mil due to the Covid-19 situation.

There are 32,962 registered voters in Batu Sapi.

The Batu Sapi seat fell vacant following the death of Datuk Liew Vui Keong on Oct 2, believed to be due to a lung infection.

The former minister in the Prime Minister’s Department was earlier admitted to the Jesselton Medical Centre for a slipped disc prior to the Sept 12 nomination day for the Sabah state elections, and was transferred to the Gleneagles Hospital for further medical attention.

His condition took a turn for the worst when he was diagnosed with a lung infection.

Barisan Nasional has said that it will not contest the Batu Sapi by-election to prevent further spread of Covid-19.

Parti Cinta Sabah had also declared it would not contest in the upcoming election.