Public Health #36: Can We Hold Elections During A Health Crisis?

This pandemic year has also been a year of elections. Notable countries that have gone to the ballot boxes in the last few months include South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand and the United States. In Malaysia, we’ve seen a state election take place in Sabah, while the Batu Sapi by-election and Sarawak state election loom on the horizon. There’s even talk of a 15th general election. But after the consequences of the Sabah state election on the spread of COVID-19, should we be putting the brakes on polling? We discuss the public health concerns of holding elections during this pandemic, with Azrul Mohd Khalib, CEO, Galen Centre for Health & Social Policy; and Prof Dato’ Dr Awang Bulgiba Awang Mahmud, Public Health Medicine Specialist, University of Malaya.

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