Gov't not hiding election dates, says Azalina

PARLIAMENT The government is not keeping the general election dates secret from the opposition, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Azalina Othman Said.

She also denied that the process of dissolving the Parliament and state legislative assemblies have breached parliamentary democracy.

"The Federal Constitution and state enactments have stipulated that the Election Commission (EC) should conduct a poll in 60 days or unexpected vacancy," Azalina said in a parliamentary written reply.

"After EC, the speakers of Parliament and state legislative assemblies will be informed about the vacancy. The EC will then meet to decide the election dates and announces the dates through the media.

"Thus, the allegation about (the government) keeping the election dates secret is not true," she added.

Azalina was responding to Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS-Marang) who asked the reason for the government keeping the election dates secret, instead of making it known earlier.

Hadi described such a move as unfair to the opposition bloc and has breached parliamentary democracy. -Mkini