MELAKA: Candidates will not be allowed to bring supporters along when they file their candidacy for the Melaka state election today, state police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Abdul Majid Mohd Ali has reminded them.

       He said stern action would be taken by the authorities under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 (Act 342).

       “I’m urging all candidates to display maturity because this is a matter of public health and we are all responsible,” he told a press conference yesterday.

       The Health Ministry had announced a ban on political gatherings and social events related to the state election from Oct 25 to Nov 27.

       The Election Commission (EC) is expected to announce further guidelines today.

       DCP Abdul Majid also said drones were banned at all 28 nomination centres beginning today.

       “We will also take stern action against those using drones since nomination centres have been gazetted by the EC as forbidden areas,” he added.

       He said 824 police officers would be mobilised across all 28 nomination centres.

       Each nomination centre will be handled by an integrated team consisting of the police, local authorities and representatives from the Health Ministry and National Security Council, and they are authorised to issue fines on any offence under Act 342.

       “There will also be another monitoring team to take action based on the Elections Act 1958.

       “The reason why we are doing this is to avoid any allegations involving enforcement,” he added.

       DCP Abdul Majid also confirmed that interstate and district borders in Melaka would not be closed during the campaign period and that tourism was encouraged.

       “We encourage tourists to come. There will be no closures,” he said.

       He said that a fake screencap claiming that district borders in Melaka were closed had circulated, and this was being investigated by the police.

       He added that there would be no permanent roadblocks during the campaign period.