Only 20% increase in voters BUT 100% JUMP in election costs

The doubling of cost to conduct the general election, from RM200 million in 2008 to RM400 million in the 13th general election, caught the attention of Seremban member of parliament Anthony Loke.

Loke said the rise was not in tandem with the increase in number of voters - 20 percent - in the last five years.

With 222 parliament constituencies, Loke said EC spent approximately RM1.8 million per constituency.

The DAP national organising secretary also drew comparison between RM200,000 limit imposed on candidates in a parliamentary constituency to RM1.8 million per constituency spent by EC during the last election.

In addition, Loke pointed out that the Permatang Pauh by-election in 2009 had only cost RM409,000.

“Is there a need to spend RM1.8 million for a constituency?” he was quoted by Sinar Harian as saying.

Loke’s statement followed a parliamentary reply by minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Shahidan Kassim stating that the Finance ministry had approved an allocation of RM400 million for the May 5 polls.

Breaking down the RM400 million, the biggest portion was spent for the services and token appreciation to election workers at RM204.1 million and rental of telephone, fax and other services at RM98.465 million.

Harakahdaily