The Election Commission (EC) is in the midst of finding a suitable solution to enable registered voters in critical fields to vote, as well as those who usually cannot vote due to work demands.

EC chairperson Mohd Hashim Abdullah said the commission would meet with representatives from several relevant agencies, such as the Health Ministry and the Fire and Rescue Department, to discuss the matter next week.

“Among the professions that could hardly leave the workplace even on polling day were doctors and nurses at intensive care units (ICU), ambulance drivers and prison staff.

“The EC wants to ensure that all Malaysian citizens who have registered as voters have their chance to vote on polling day,” he told reporters after attending a voters’ education programme at the Teachers’ Education Institute (IPG) for Islamic Education here today.

On the preparation for the 14th General Election, he said the EC facilities and logistics were in place and the commission had also formulated a contingency plan in case of a flood.

“We are just waiting for GE14 to be called. In most states, our preparations are 96 percent complete, while in other states, 85 per cent,” he said.

The 13th Parliament term will end on June 24, 2018, and it will dissolve automatically on that date if the dissolution is not announced earlier.

As of the second quarter of 2017, a total of 14.6 million Malaysian citizens have registered as voters.

- Bernama