The Election Commission (EC) has fixed Nov 4 to hold a by-election for the Jepak state seat in Sarawak, which fell vacant following the death of its incumbent Talib Zulpilip.
Nomination of candidates will take place on Oct 21, while early voting is on Oct 31.
EC deputy chairperson Azmi Sharom announced this at a press conference after a special meeting on the by-election at Menara SPR today.
He said the campaigning period for the by-election was set for 14 days, starting after the declaration of the candidates on nomination day until 11.59pm on Nov 3.
The Electoral roll that will be used for the Jepak by-election is the one updated until Sept 15, which contains 22,804 voters consisting of 22,761 ordinary voters and 43 police personnel, he added.
Azmi said the by-election is expected to cost the government RM2 million.
Jepak incumbent Talib, 72, from Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu Sarawak (PBB) died of kidney complications on Sept 15.
The six-term assemblyperson since 1996 was also a former minister in the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman).
Jepak is in the Bintulu parliamentary constituency.
Azmi said Balai Raya Kampung Jepak, Bintulu, will be used as the nomination centre and the official vote tallying centre for the by-election.
The EC has appointed a returning officer, who will be assisted by three assistant returning officers, to oversee the by-election.
It has also appointed a total of 446 officers to oversee the by-election process, he added.
He said two election enforcement teams will be set up to monitor campaigning activities throughout the by-election comprising representatives from the police, the local government authorities and representatives of competing candidates.
The by-election will have 15 polling stations, involving 46 polling streams, with one of the stations for early voting.
Postal voting application open
Voters are advised to check their voting information at this website, the MySPR Semak application or by calling the EC Hotline at 03-8892 7018/ 7218/ 7124, which will be opened starting Oct 16.
Regarding the applications for postal voters, it is open from today and the closing date is Oct 18 for Category 1A (election officials, EC members/officers, police, military and media personnel); Oct 4 for Category 1B (Malaysian citizens who are abroad); and Oct 9 for Category 1C (agencies/organisations).
"Applications for postal ballot for Category 1A, Category 1B and Category 1C should be done online," said Azmi, who also advised potential candidates for the by-election to fill in the nomination form and do an initial check with the office of the returning officer or the Sarawak election office prior to nomination day.
Azmi said applications are also opened to quarters, including government agencies and NGOs, interested in becoming observers to see the process of the Jepak by-election.
Election observers are allowed to observe the election process such as during nominations, campaigning, early voting and on polling day as well as vote counting and tallying.
Applicants can visit the EC’s website for further information and to download the application form. The closing date to apply is Oct 9.
- Bernama
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