THE Election Commission (EC) has confirmed that Malaysians will cast their votes for the upcoming six state elections on Aug 12.
EC President Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh also announced that the nomination day for candidates of six states – Selangor, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan – will be on July 29, while early voting will be on Aug 8.
The announcements were made today (July 5) by Abdul Ghani in a press conference at the EC Headquarters in Putrajaya after chairing the EC special meeting on the state polls.
“The election campaign period is set for 14 days,” Abdul Ghani said.
He also said the closing date for early voting applications is July 8 for Malaysians residing overseas, July 11 for agencies or organisations, and July 26 for the media, army, police and election officials.
Abdul Ghani further reported that there are 9,773,571 eligible voters for the upcoming state polls, adding that this is made up of 9,674,456 normal voters, 49,660 armed forces members and their spouses, 47,728 police force members and their spouses, and 1,727 absent voters based overseas.
There will be 3,450 polling locations with 17,425 polling stations and channels, including 260 early voting locations with 377 polling stations.
He also stated that the EC has appointed 985 electoral officials and assistants, as well as 252 election campaign enforcement teams comprised of police, local governments, and party representatives.
Also present at the meeting were EC deputy chairman Dr Azmi Sharom, Secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak as well as EC members Zoey Randhawa, Dr Mohd Faisal Syam Abdol Hazis, Datuk Nik Ali Mat Yunus, Datuk Dr Lee Bee Phang and senior EC officers.
The six state governments had earlier decided against holding their elections concurrently with the 15th General Election (GE15) in November last year.
Abdul Ghani stated in December last year that holding the six state elections concurrently would make room for greater manpower cooperation.
Last month, Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said revealed that the polls is expected to cost a total of RM420 mil.
The Pakatan Harapan (PH)-Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition governs Penang, Selangor, and Negri Sembilan while Perikatan Nasional (PN) rules Kelantan, Kedah, and Terengganu. – July 5, 2023
Main pic credit: Bernama
