SO WHAT HAPPENS ON MAY 10, THE DAY AFTER POLLING

PETALING JAYA — In less than 48 hours, Malaysia goes to the polls. All the campaigning is finally coming to a close.

But what happens right after you cast your vote on May 9?

Here’s a rundown of events:

1. Votes are counted

Firstly, at the conclusion of Polling Day the votes will be counted.

Doors close at 5pm and a Presiding Officer counts the ballot papers.

According to Skrine.com, the counting of votes is conducted under close scrutiny. Candidates have eagle-eyed representatives in place who ensure votes cast are properly accounted for.

Smaller constituencies will usually finish counting in the late evening but counting can go on until midnight and beyond.

2. Results discovered

Results for state and federal level votes start rolling in at roughly 9pm.

Expect updates by the minute about which party is leading where and potential swings in voter consensus. Any constituency whose seat has changed party will be highlighted.

Malaysia uses a first past the post system, meaning the moment enough seats are won to form a parliamentary majority and government, a winner is declared. With 222 seats on offer, 112 is the magic number required.

The official result announcement is usually made around midnight by the Election Commission (EC) at their HQ in Putrajaya.

Counting continues until a final tally is accumulated.

In 2013, a majority was announced shortly before 1am.

3. Celebrations for winners, post-mortems for losers

The winning party will celebrate at a designated location, usually at its party HQ.

The days following will be made up of briefings behind closed doors where nominated MPs will be addressed by the party leader. Topics on the agenda primarily consists of how manifesto policies will be carried out in each constituency, but there will also be discussions about any major seats gained or lost.

For the losing parties, it’s the dreaded unofficial post-mortem, assessing where the campaign didn’t work in their favour.

4. Stocks will surge

Depending on the results, expect the stock market to fluctuate.

The morning after GE13, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI Index rose to a lifetime high of 1,808.90and currency hit a 10-month high, reported Reuters.

Stocks also surged 6.8 per cent. The ringgit rose to its strongest position in over a year at the time.

5. Any appeals to be lodged

If a defeated candidate wants to challenge the results by filing an election petition at the Election Court, he/she has 21 days after the election results are gazetted to do so.

High Court hearings on lodged complaints are to be completed within six months where, if the protesting group is still unhappy, it can be taken up directly to the Federal Court until a verdict is reached.

Appeals may be filed on the grounds of anything considered as misconduct under election laws. That includes bribery, intimidation, corruption, illegal behaviour by a candidate or agent or ineligibility of a candidate.

6. Cabinet announced

Next and probably the final task of an election is for the prime minister to announce a Cabinet.

It can take up to 10 days to draw up and members are only sworn in upon approval by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The number of ministerial posts given to each party is usually determined by how well their respective parties performed in the elections.

MALAY MAIL