Divided over cooling off period

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Politicians differ over imposing period between end of campaign and polling to give voters more time to decide

KUCHING: Politicians from both sides of the political divide have diverse views on imposing a ‘cooling off’ period which is a time set between the last campaign day and polling day.

The purpose of setting a ‘cooling off ’ period is to give time for the voters to cool down after a period of aggressive campaigns to ensure they have enough time to think through issues and thus able to vote rationally.

Youth chief of Sarawak United Peoples’ Party Tan Kai when contacted said the Barisan Nasional component parties as well as some NGOs did propose to impose it, but the proposal was opposed by the opposition, and thus not adopted.

“Imposition of the period is perceived to be an advantage to the ruling parties, that was why it was not adopted,” said Tan Kai.

He added that by not imposing the cooling off period because of the opposition was against it the Election Commission (EC) had shown that it was a neutral entity.

Parti Rakyat Sarawak president Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing on the other hand, held the view that the EC should have adopted the proposal to ensure a fair election.

“It is sensible. The Election Commission (EC) should adopt it without fear or favour.

“In Thailand, all entertainment out lets are closed the night before polling to prevent intoxication and unruly behaviour (for the next day),” Masing who is also La nd Development Minister, told The Borneo Post yesterday.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu secretary general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi, however, expressed that it was not necessary to do so as it would create more complications than advantages.

“If it is imposed, then the EC will be accused again of taking side with the ruling parties,” saidDr Rundi.

Meanwhile, State Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) secretary general See Chee How said some years ago, a cooling off period was introduced and carried out.

“However, a lot of problems emerged in that one day period. I don’t think it worked.

“The voters did not make up their minds overnight or in the last minute. They have already made up their minds on who to support. It does not make any difference if there is a cooling period,” said See, who is also BatuLintang assemblyman.

He bel ieved that setting a cooling period would be a disadvantage for the opposition as the ruling parties would still manage to campaign through the mainstream newspapers.