'Even healthy reps can die' – EC chief rules out compulsory medical test
The Election Commission has ruled out the need for candidates contesting in an election to undergo a medical examination...
The Election Commission has ruled out the need for candidates contesting in an election to undergo a medical examination.
EC chairperson Azhar Harun said making this compulsory would require amending the Federal Constitution.
“I don't think such a measure is necessary because we cannot predict when death will come. Even if the person is healthy, the person could still die,” he told reporters in Putrajaya this afternoon.
Azhar was speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting on the by-election for the Semenyih state seat in Selangor.
The seat fell vacant after its incumbent from Bersatu, Bakhtiar Mohd Nor, died last week.
Earlier, Azhar announced that polling would take place on March 2 and nomination of candidates would be on Feb 16.
The Semenyih by-election is the sixth of its kind, being held since May 9 last year, with some of the polls being caused by the deaths of its incumbents.
The first one was the Sungai Kandis (state seat) by-election on Aug 4, followed by the simultaneous Seri Setia and Balakong polls on Sept 8, also for its state seats, the Port Dickson parliamentary seat by-election on Oct 13, and the Cameron Highlands by-election on Jan 26.
Asked if he was happy with the proceedings of by-elections since he took over the EC's reigns in Sept last year, Azhar said he has seen increasing awareness on election rules, among both political parties and voters alike.
"I began my stint during the Port Dickson by-election and has since preceded over the Cameron Highlands and Semenyih polls.
"In Port Dickson, I am satisfied with how smooth the by-election went by, and also the new initiatives introduced by the secretariat," he said.
