GE13 must be held latest by May 28, says EC

The 13th general election must be held at the latest by May 28 following the dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat today, said Election Commission (EC) chairperson  Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof. 

He said the date should take into consideration the automatic dissolution of the Negri Sembilan state assembly on March 28. 

“If we were to start counting from April 3 today, it (60-day period) will end on June 3 but it will miss the Negri Sembilan deadline of May 28,” he said. 

He was speaking on a TV3 programme, ‘Soal Jawab’, hosted by Media Prima Bhd’s news operations and editorial executive director Ahmad A Talib, last night. 

Asked on the possible dates for the nomination day and polling day, Abdul Aziz said: “There are some possible dates but it is not appropriate for me to mention them here as I need to dicuss with the other (EC) panels.” 

He said several factors needed to be considered including religious festivals, weather condition and the holding of major events in choosing the polling date.

“The school holidays are not our consideration. When the EC panel members meet, they will all present their views and will make a unanimous decision.”

He dismissed the perception of certain quarters that the GE13 would be the worst general election in the nation’s history, claiming cheating by EC and the contesting political parties.

“I don’t believe at all that the GE13 will be the worst. If all quarters including the political parties, party candidates, independents, observers and non-governmental organisations give their cooperation to EC, I believe the GE13 will go on smoothly, peacefully and properly,” he said.

Abdul Aziz also noted that the EC had introduced 19 new measures for the election process this time including early voting, use of delible ink and continuous cleaning-up of the electoral roll.

“The EC is just providing the required premises, polling stations and facilities for the voting process. Determining who win or lose in the elections are the voters,” he said.

- Bernama