Must you wear a face mask, and dress properly in order to vote at the 2023 State and Parliament election for Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan?!
Take a look at the viral claims, and find out what the facts really are!
Claim : 2023 Election Voters Must Wear Face Mask + Office Dress Code!
People are sharing messages claiming that voters must wear a face mask, and follow a specific dress code to vote during the 2023 State and Parliament election for Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan!
Just sharing from another group. 👇
Please wear a mask when you go to vote , they may take this excuse no mask cannot go into voting centre .
So remember to bring your mask with you .
And dress decently. No shorts .
It seems must wear a mask when one goes to vote.. please inform people in your contacts. Tomorrow’s election attire has to be proper. Long pants, shirt & shoes. No shorts, sleeveless t-shirts & slippers. Mostly younger non-Malays wear this way esp shorts and may not be allowed…rugi undi.
Just a gentle reminder.
Recommended :Â Do You Need A Readable MyKad To Vote In Election?!
Truth : No Need To Wear Face Mask Or Office Dress Code To Vote In 2023 Election!
These are just more examples of FAKE NEWS circulating on WhatsApp, and here are the reasons why…
Fact #1 : Voters Only Need To Be Appropriately Dressed
The fake news falsely claimed that people cannot wear short pants or slippers to vote at the 2023 election in Malaysia.
According to Section 26(1)(g) of the Election Offences Act of 1954 (Act 5), voters can wear anything they want as long as their clothes do not have :
- the name of any electoral candidate
- the symbol of any political party
In other words, if you prefer to wear shorts and slippers, go on right ahead. Or if you prefer to dress up, more power to you!
This is not just about comfort. It is expected to rain during 2023 election on 12 August 2023, and it may be impractical for voters to wear formal wear.
Fact #2 : Dress Code Photo Only For Government Offices
The photos that people keep sharing (below is just one example) are of the dress code for government offices in Malaysia. You only need to abide by that dress code if you wish to enter a government office.
That government office dress code does NOT apply to the polling centres for the 2023 State and Parliament election in Malaysia. You do NOT have to follow this dress code to vote in Malaysia!
Recommended : You Must Surrender Phone Before Voting In GE15!
Fact #3 : Face Mask Is Not Required To Vote
While wearing a face mask is strongly encouraged, you will not be turned away from voting if you do not have a face mask.
The World Health Organization announced on May 1, 2023 that COVID-19 was no longer a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Following that, Malaysia eased its COVID-19 guidelines on July 5:
- wearing a face mask is no longer mandatory on public transportation, or hospitals.
- it is only mandatory for people who are COVID-19 positive, and healthcare workers adhering to infection control practices in health facilities, to wear face masks.
- quarantine for COVID-19 positive cases was also shortened from seven days to just five days from the onset of first symptoms.
Using face masks by high risk individuals in crowded areas and places with bad air circulation is also highly encouraged.
– Malaysia Health Minister Dr. Zaliha Mustafa
On 11 August 2023, the Malaysia Election Commission (SPR) also issued a detailed statement outlining the election process. There was no mention of face masks being required to vote.
In fact, face masks were NOT even required during the 15th General Election in November 2022!
At that time, wearing a face mask was only mandatory for COVID-19 positive voters! The SPR only strongly encouraged voted to wear one, but it was NOT a requirement.
Fact #4 : SPR Refuted Dress Code Claims
During the previous 15th General Elections, the Malaysia Election Commission (SPR) issued a statement refuting that office dress code claim, as well as the infographic below.
The SPR also stated clearly that the government office dress code does NOT apply in any election polling station.
Voters do not have to dress according to government office attire at polling stations. The EC has not and will not prevent a voter from entering a polling station as long as the voter is appropriately dressed.
Recommended : Malaysia GE15 Election : Do’s And Don’ts Of Voting!
Now that you know the facts, please SHARE this fact check article, and SUPPORT our work!
Please Support My Work!
Support my work through a bank transfer / Â PayPal / credit card!
Name : Adrian Wong
Bank Transfer : CIMB 7064555917 (Swift Code : CIBBMYKL)
Credit Card / Paypal : https://paypal.me/techarp
Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Recommended Reading
- PDRM Warning : Watch Out For MyBayar Scam!
- PSA : You Still Need Physical Driving Licence Overseas!
- PDRM Warning : It’s Illegal To Stop On Zebra Crossing!
- JPJ Ordered To Remove ‘No Physical Road Tax’ Notice!
- Did JPJ Stop Issuing Physical Road Tax For Most Drivers?!
Go Back To > Fact Check | Tech ARP
Support Tech ARP!
Please support us by visiting our sponsors, participating in the Tech ARP Forums, or donating to our fund. Thank you!
