Election date before Nov 10 believed likely

 

Polling in the 15th general election could take place between Nov 5 and Nov 10 according to an FMT source.

PETALING JAYA: The general election is likely to take place before Nov 10, which would place it before the start of the monsoon season in mid-November.

A political source in the know said the Election Commission (EC) could also set a date as early as Nov 5, a Saturday.

A date in the first week of November would be in line with the wishes of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who said he hoped the EC would take into account the fact that the monsoon season begins in the middle of November.

“So it is quite likely that the general election will happen before Nov 10. Perhaps as early as Nov 5, which is a Saturday,” said the source.

The EC is expected to meet this week to decide on the dates for nomination of candidates as well as polling day.

In 2018, when Parliament was dissolved on April 7, the EC set Wednesday, May 9 for polling. For the general election in 2013, Parliament was dissolved on April 3, with polling taking place on Sunday, May 5.

For both general elections, the EC allowed for two weeks of campaigning.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced that the King had agreed to dissolve Parliament today, putting an end to speculation that had grown since the end of September.

Under the constitution, a general election must be held within 60 days of dissolution. - FMT