New polls boundaries if gazetted before p'ment dissolved
Published on: Thursday, March 22, 2018
ARAU: The Election Commission (EC) will use the new electoral boundaries in the 14th general election (GE14) if the redelineation of electoral boundaries was gazetted before the dissolution of the 13th Parliament, EC chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah said.He said if passed by the Dewan Rakyat, the EC would present the redelineation motion to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to obtain his royal consent."We (EC) only need one day to obtain the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Pertuan Agong and then it will become an official document and can be used for GE14," he told a press conference after launching the EC's #jomkitasemak and #jomkitaundi campaign at Universiti Malaysia Perlis here today.
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Mohd Hashim said the redelineation of the electoral boundaries was done based on the population growth or demographic development of an area, hence refuting the opposition's allegation that the exercise was only aimed at ensuring victory for the ruling party.He said the redelineation motion was supposed to be passed two years ago, but was delayed after the opposition parties objected and took the matter to court.n March 10, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the motion on the redelineation of electoral boundaries would be tabled, debated and passed at the current Dewan Rakyat sitting, which would conclude on April 5.On the allegation that the EC had changed the procedures which concern polling and counting agents, and counting of ballots without early notification, Mohd Hashim stressed that the election system and procedures remained unchanged.
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In order to ensure transparency in the polling and counting of ballots, the EC called on all contesting parties to provide adequate number of agents at all polling stations, counting stations and EC booths, he said.For the first time ever, he said the EC would also give the opportunity to university students to be involved as observers to oversee the election process this year.
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He said the EC had also invited election observers from 12 countries, including non-governmental organisation (NGO) representatives, for the coming GE14, as compared to only from three countries in GE13.Mohd Hashim also expressed hope that the GE14 would be the cleanest election in the country's history."I have faith in the security forces to ensure public safety and that the GE14 will run smoothly, safely and in harmony," he said.At the event, Mohd Hashim launched the EC's #jomkitasemak and #jomkitaundi campaign to encourage registered voters to cast their votes as the EC had set a target of 85 per cent voter turnout in the GE14.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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