Polls training doesn’t mean GE15 around the corner, says EC

 

Election Commission deputy chairman Azmi Sharom says there will not be time to conduct training if polls are imminent. (Bernama pic)

GEORGE TOWN: The Election Commission (EC) said a recent circular calling for election agents to train ahead of the general election is not a sign that polls are imminent.

EC deputy chairman Azmi Sharom said such training was continuous and could happen at any time of the year, and the same went with identifying polling centres earlier on.

“If we were to leave it only when elections are imminent, we won’t have time. Therefore, the activities of the EC ought not to be an indication of imminent elections,” he told FMT.

Recently, a Pahang district and land office circular dated May 18 calling for election workers in the state to attend a briefing ahead of the 15th general election made the rounds on social media.

The letter read that all election workers – from supervisors to election clerks – must attend a four-day course at a hall in Kuala Lipis from May 24 to 27.

The next general election must be held by Sept 14 next year.

Fitch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research predicted that the polls are likely to be held in the second half of the year or, in the third quarter of the year, The Edge Markets reported. - FMT