EC: All processes complied with in Sarawak redelineation

PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission (EC) has complied with all processes set by the Federal Constitution and other written laws relating to the redelineation of state constituencies in Sarawak, said its secretary Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh.

He said the recommendations were displayed from last Jan 5 to next Feb 4 at venues stated in the redelineation notice as published in local newspapers for review and objection purposes.

Throughout the display period, EC gave opportunity to parties permitted by the Federal Constitution, including 100 or more individuals, whose names were shown in the current electoral in the constituencies concerned to submit written objections to the Sarawak state election director.

Abdul Ghani said a local investigation session would be conducted if there were objections and, if there were amendments, a second set of recommendations would be displayed for inspection and objection before the final report was completed.

"The EC is empowered under Section 6 of the 13th Schedule, Division II to conduct the running of the local investigation procedure," he said in a statement here Friday.

Abdul Ghani said the relevant section enforced EC's authority in conducting local investigation being guided by the Commission of Inquiry Act 1950 (Act 119).

The plan draft being displayed during that allocated period was sufficient under the provisions of the law as it was the recommendations of a study on the electoral redelineation and not a plan or map used during an election that had been gazetted, he said.

He said under the legal provisions, plan draft or initial recommendations needed only to be published in at least one newspaper being distributed during part of the election involved, but EC had taken steps to publish them in two local newspapers in Sarawak, the peninsular and Sabah.

"At the same time, EC takes proactive steps by providing digital access through the commission's official website to all parties even though there was no necessity to download all these notices, recommendations and plans," he said.

The study on redelineation of state constituencies in Sarawak was conducted in line with the state Legislative Assembly on Nov 11 last year to approve an amendment to add the number of state seats to 82 from 71 at present. - Bernama