EC to meet on Melaka election after state assembly dissolution

PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission (EC) is set to meet on the impending Melaka state polls, following the dissolution of the state assembly.

EC secretary Ikmalrudin Ishak said the commission had been officially notified of the dissolution on Oct 4.

“Pursuant to Clause (4) of Article 19 of the Melaka state constitution, a general election must be held within 60 days from the date of dissolution of the assembly.

“Therefore, the EC will convene a special meeting to discuss the implementation of the election,” said Ikmalrudin yesterday.

Ikmalrudin said the date of the meeting would be announced later.

Earlier, state assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh announced the dissolution at a press conference in Melaka.

Ab Rauf said Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam had agreed to dissolve the Melaka legislative assembly.

The current Melaka government would act as a caretaker government until the election is called, said Ab Rauf.

The Melaka crisis came about when four assemblymen withdrew their support for Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali as Chief Minister on Monday.

The four are former Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron (BN-Sungai Udang), Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (BN-Pantai Kundor), Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Independent-Pengkalan Batu) and Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad (Bersatu-Telok Mas).