Registration of eligible voters for first polls
Published on: Monday, August 09, 1965
Text Size:
Commission Chairman Tuan Haji Mustapha Albakri told newsmen before he and three other members of his Commission together with their secretaries left for Kuala Lumpur by Malaysian Airways Kris Jet after a five-day visit to various parts of Sabah for important meetings with officials here.
The Elections Chief met with Residents, District Officers and other officials in order to discuss with them a draft proposed delineation of constituencies for State and Parliamentary elections.
The main object of the Commission’s visit here was to finalise the plan for delineation which had been already, worked out. After the meeting with residents of Sandakan, west coast and Tawau it had been found necessary to make “a few modifications” to the plan, said Tuan Albakri.
“A few suggestions had been made by their officials during discussions which has enabled us to come to our decision,” he added.
The Commission members could not meet the Resident Interior as he is on leave. However, his views had been sought earlier and communicated to the Commission.
“We have now agreed on the areas that should form the State and Parliamentary constituencies” for the State of Sabah said Tuan Haji Mustapha Albakri.
Fresh delineation plans will be prepared soon and by the end of this month. it is hoped. Tuan Haji Albakri said that the final recommendations of the delineation areas would he made public.
It was pointed out that members of the public could then be able to inspect the tentatively final draft delineation plans and the list of population figures earmarked for each of the respective constituencies, parliamentary and State.
The Elections Commission Chief emphasised those plans and details would be displayed at the offices of the Residents and their District offices and also in each of the constituencies.
A notice will be published in the Government Gazette and in local newspapers in all the major languages informing the public that they can inspect the proposed recommendations at the place specified in the notice.
It was again pointed out that within one month of such publication, members of the public can make representations and “constructive changes and alterations” to the proposed plan.
The Election Commission would take into consideration “any such representations or constructive criticism of our plans” said Tuan Haji Mustapha Albakri.
Such representation or criticisms should be addressed to the Supervisor of Elections, Elections Office, Jesselton.
Touching on the registration of eligible voters, Tuan Haji Albakri said the commission presumed at least 40pc of the total population of Sabah would be eligible to vote and it is based on this calculation, the population for each constituency has been set apart. He said registration of voters will commence in early December failing which at least in January next year.
“We still work on the premises that we can complete our whole work early next year and prepare ourselves to hold the election at least in March or April next year,” he said.
“But we need in this whole operation the cooperation of all concerned the political parties, the public, the Government departments, the associations and clubs and all others from whom we may have to call for assistance” he said.
The Elections Commission Chief hoped there would be “no hitch”.
“I am generally optimistic about the whole thing”, he added.
Earlier touching on registration, Tuan Haji Albakri explained that Mr. Harbajan Singh Sidhu, who has been posted to Sabah as Supervisor of Election, will be instructed to prepare the machinery for the “big task” of registering the electors.
He will make recommendations to the Elections commission in respect of the following.
- Registering Officers, and Assistant Registering Officers,
- Registration Centres
- Forms and Pamphlets
- Stationery and materials
Dealing with the actual issue of Elections Tuan Haji Albakri said many of the paraphernalia for the machinery of election have to be got ready. He indicated polling equipment would have to be purchased, More form. stationery and materials would be required.
“Our supervisor will have to obtain the assistance of Heads of Departments for transport and personnel for the elections. The question of security must also be loowed into,” he added.
The Elections Chief said he and his members had a very fruitful and valuable” time in Sabah and they thanked Mr. Dixon for the assistance and cooperation given to them.
ADVERTISEMENT
