JASIN: A special disposable brush will be used to apply the indelible ink on the fingers of Covid-19 symptomatic voters as part of the new standard operating procedure (SOP) for early voting today.

       Returning officer for the Asahan seat Luqmannulhakim Mohamad Idris said the brush would be used specifically for voters who have symptoms like cough, flu and body temperature of over 37.5° Celsius.

       “As stipulated in the SOP issued by the Election Commission (EC), we will still dip a voter’s finger into a special ink as a mark that he or she has voted and every EC staffer will be provided with gloves and face masks.

       “However, if a voter is found to be symptomatic, the individual will be taken to a special tent where we will use a disposable brush to smear ink on that voter’s finger,” he told Bernama.

       Luqmannulhakim said the ballot paper would then be placed in special plastic and sanitised before it is inserted into the ballot box.

       Staff manning the tents for symptomatic voters and handled by the Health Ministry, meanwhile, will be provided with personal protective equipment (PPE).

       He also reminded voters to check their voting slots and to turn up at the stipulated times to avoid congestion at the polling booths.

       “There are four time slots and voters can check them in the mySPR Semak application or the EC portal.

       “The four time slots are from 8am to 10am; 10am to 12 noon; 12 noon to 2pm; and 2pm to 4.20pm,” he said.

       Meanwhile, preparations at the 31 early voting centres went smoothly, with surveys carried out at several of them, including at the Selandar Police Station where the voting channels, checking counters and special tents have been set up on the station’s grounds under the supervision of eight EC employees.

       Sanitisation work was also being carried out in the areas involved in the early voting process to ensure a Covid-19-free environment.

       Simulations were also conducted to ensure the early voting process for the Asahan seat, involving 27 police personnel, would go smoothly, while several contingency plans, including for rain, have been prepared.