GE15 won’t fall on Deepavali, says Saravanan

 

Deepavali will be celebrated on Oct 24 and with the Election Commission only meeting on Oct 20, it is unlikely that polls will be held on the day of the celebration. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Human resources minister M Saravanan said the 15th general election (GE15) would not be held on Deepavali day, dismissing an opposition MP’s criticism over the timing of the dissolution of Parliament.

In brushing off accusations that the decision to dissolve Parliament was insensitive to the Hindu community, Saravanan said the opposition was being dramatic.

The Election Commission (EC), he said, would only meet on Oct 20 to discuss the polling dates.

“The moment it (the dissolution and coming GE15) was announced, the opposition said ‘oh it (polling day) will fall on Deepavali’.

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“But the EC is meeting on Oct 20, Deepavali is on Oct 24. This means that GE15 will not be on Deepavali day,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event here today.

Saravanan said that after the EC’s meeting, it was likely that nomination would be held two weeks from Oct 20, with polling set 14 days later.

Former Klang MP Charles Santiago had hit out at Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob for dissolving Parliament on Monday to make way for GE15.

Santiago said it was insensitive and unjust to the Hindu community to have a nationwide poll coinciding with Deepavali celebrations. - FMT