Tanjong Datu by-election fixed for Feb 18

The Election Commission announced today that the Tanjong Datu by-election will be held on Feb 18.

This was after the seat fell vacant following the death of Sarawak chief minister, Adenan Satem.

Election Commission chief Hashim Abdullah said nomination day is fixed for Feb 4, while early voting will take place on Feb 12.

Adenan's youngest son, Azizul Annuar, is tipped to be BN's candidate for the seat.

The constituency has 9,959 voters, Hashim said, with 9,771 normal voters and 118 absent or early voters.

"We are expecting around a 75 percent turnout for the by-election. It is pertinent for the voters to come out in strength.

"We will encourage the voters to come out and vote during the campaign period," Hashim told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

By-election to cost RM997,919

He also revealed that 250 election officers would be appointed to coordinate the by-election, which is estimated to cost RM997,919.

Any NGO that is interested in observing and monitoring the by-election has to register with the EC by Jan 30, said.

However, Hashim announced that there would be no by-election for the Sungai Air Tawar seat in Selangor, which became vacant after the passing of its assemblyperson Kamarol Zaki Abdul Malik on Jan 17.

"The (Selangor) assembly speaker has informed that the seat vacancy does not affect the strength of the majority party in the Dewan Negeri Selangor," he said.

The EC chief declined to comment on when the proposed redelineation exercise would be completed, as he said the matter was pending in court.

On speculations on the date of the next general election, Hashim said the EC does not know when it will be held, but that it is always ready for GE14.

"We are always ready, because that is our job," he said.

The general election has been widely predicted to take place this year.-Mkini