Before the monitoring exercise, briefing and training sessions were held for all observers. Based on experience, SUHAKAM developed a checklist that served as the reporting guidelines. SUHAKAM attended the EC’s briefing at its headquarters in Putrajaya on 4 September and in Kota Kinabalu on 8 September for all agencies observing the election. B All observers were required to monitor the following processes: • • • • • • • Nomination of candidates; Election campaign; Checking the contents of the ballot boxes; Early Voting and Polling Process; Counting of votes; Opening the envelope and counting of postal votes; and Official summation of votes/declaration of election results SUHAKAM was involved in the following activities: i. Monitoring of the nomination process in several constituencies around Kota Kinabalu, ii. Monitoring of election campaign including ceramah walk-about, and campaign materials; iii. Monitoring of early voting process; iv. Inspection of polling centres and preparations made; v. Inspection of ballot boxes vi. Monitoring of polling process; vii. Monitoring of the closing and counting process. SUHAKAM could not carry out all the activities stated above at all constituencies. Changes were made to the list of constituencies because of COVID-19. Hence, SUHAKAM was unable to obtain full accreditation for monitoring from the EC. The restricted monitoring accreditation meant the team was unable to access all polling centres and observe the closing and counting processes. 76 ANNUAL REPORT 2020