The Election Commission (EC) regards the Chini state by-election, to be held on July 4, to serve as a benchmark for it to hold other by-elections as well as general election during a pandemic situation in the country.

Its chairperson Azhar Azizan Harun said the commission was preparing the standard operating procedure (SOP) for the Chini by-election to protect the health and safety of all parties, including voters.