Wide disparity in voter numbers under Sarawak redelineation, says DAP

 Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen raises concerns of equal representation and varying electoral weights.

Chong Chieng Jen said DAP’s analysis showed that while Iban voters make up 28.8% of Sarawak’s electorate, Iban-majority constituencies would make up only 22.2% of the proposed 99 seats. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Sarawak DAP has taken issue with the wide disparity in voter numbers between constituencies in the Election Commission’s (EC) proposed redelineation, which would expand the state assembly from 82 to 99 seats.

State DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen said, based on the party’s analysis, each constituency should have an average of about 20,582 voters.

“However, using 15,000 to 26,000 voters as a reasonable benchmark, 49 of the 99 seats fall outside that range.

“Twenty-four constituencies would have fewer than 15,000 voters, while 25 would have more than 26,000. The disparity is particularly stark between rural and urban constituencies,” he was quoted by Dayak Daily as saying in a press conference.

The Stampin MP and Padungan assemblyman pointed to Pelagus, which has 10,372 voters, and Piasau, which has 34,546 voters, noting that the latter has more than three times as many voters.

Chong said the significant differences raised questions about equal representation and whether voters in different constituencies would effectively have equal electoral weight.

On Sept 1, the EC put up notices at various locations in each parliamentary constituency in Sarawak displaying the 17 new state seats and the proposed new names for several existing constituencies.

The notices are meant to allow constituents to submit objections or representations concerning the proposed constituencies to the EC. The public objection process runs until Sept 30. - FMT