PETALING JAYA: It will be a general election like no other, especially in terms of the numbers of coalitions, parties, candidates and voters.
The 15th General Election (GE15) is expected to be super-crowded and the most expensive national polls in Malaysia’s history.
GE14 in 2018 cost RM500mil, while GE15 will cost RM1.1bil. There were 14.9 million eligible voters in the previous election; there will be 21.2 million this time around.
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About 5% of the new voters are between 18 and 20 years of age since the minimum voting age was lowered from 21 under Undi18.
More than 4,300 nomination forms have been sold and when the air clears after nominations close today, we can expect to see multi- cornered fights in nearly all 222 parliamentary constituencies.
There will be three major coalitions vying for the people’s mandate, and each has had a turn at governing the country. Each has felt the pain of broken alliances and has had to form new pacts.
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They have to clear the first hurdle today and are geared up to ensure a smooth-sailing nomination day, the prelude to what is expected to be an intense 14 days of campaigning for what some are calling “the hottest election”.
In their armoury, they have legal teams, back-up candidates, volunteers, crowd control measures and lots of advice.
It will be an emotionally charged day at all 222 nomination centres nationwide with candidates, their party colleagues and thousands of supporters expected to turn up.
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The biggest worry is that candidates will fail to pass through the Election Commission (EC) nomination process due to technicalities or supporters getting out of control as they try to outdo each other.
The EC has reminded candidates that all their papers must be submitted to the returning officer at nomination centres between 9am and 10am by either one or two of these people – the candidate, the proposer or the seconder.
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According to EC secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak, all candidates must bring the receipt of their deposit payment as proof of payment and the approval letter to use the symbol of the party they are representing when submitting their papers.
“On nomination day, only the candidate, proposer and seconder will be allowed to enter the nomination centre. Supporters are prohibited from waiting or being within 50m of the centre,” he added.
Umno Youth head Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who is also the Barisan Nasional Gerik parliamentary candidate, said a peaceful nomination day is vital to kick off the election campaign with a truly democratic outlook.
“The rakyat, especially the youth, wish to have a civilised campaign. Avoid instilling hate or smearing others by focusing on ideas and policies.
“The campaign window is too valuable and we want to maximise it by showing, talking, discussing and convincing the rakyat of Barisan’s manifesto,” he said.
While emotions may run high, Asyraf hopes that there will be no provocation from any party.
“I don’t have a crystal ball and cannot foresee what will happen but I am sure that we have prepared, as a party, for every possibility we can think of and to the best of our abilities.
“Preparation is key. Then, we hope and pray for the best. It will be a long 14 days of campaigning until D-day on Nov 19,” he added.
He also said Barisan has legal teams in each state assisting with the preparation of documents and the nomination process for its candidates, who would have received their letters of candidacy endorsement from Barisan chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Pakatan Harapan component parties are also prepared in terms of physical and online campaigns, candidate documentation, funding, logistics and volunteers.
PKR communications director Lee Chean Chung urged supporters to follow social media for updates, take part in events and take care of their health.
He also advised those on the ground to always sanitise and adhere to Covid-19 standard operating procedures.
DAP national election director Liew Chin Tong said the party has already been on standby for the past few months despite the possibility that a general election may not be held during the monsoon season this year.
“Our online presence has been an ongoing campaign for the past few years, while the physical campaign in terms of publicity was activated the moment Parliament was dissolved (on Oct 10).
“We have lots of excited volunteers, young and old. In fact, we want more of them to come forward to help us in the campaign, especially those aged over 21, to become our PACAs (polling and counting agents).
“Training will be provided and tea and biscuits will be served,” added the DAP deputy secretary- general.
He said all candidates have been reminded to adhere to the law, especially the EC’s regulations.
“We have been following and will continue to follow the SOP recommended by the Health Ministry and any additional recommendations by the EC,” Liew added.
Perikatan Nasional election director and Senior Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali said the coalition has set up a legal team with the sole purpose of ensuring that all documents are in order to avoid any last-minute surprises.
Perikatan comprises Bersatu, PAS, Sabah STAR and the Sabah Progressive Party.
“The Perikatan main operations room at our headquarters in Kuala Lumpur has gone through the entire process to make sure that all Perikatan candidates are ready with the necessary papers,” said Azmin, who is also the parliamentary candidate for Gombak.
He also reminded candidates to be prepared with all their papers, including the candidacy endorsements signed by Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Azmin also called on all supporters to come out early and assemble at their designated meeting places before marching peacefully to the nomination centres to accompany the candidates.
“Observe the rules and procedures provided by the EC,” he said, adding that he hopes nominations would take place in a harmonious manner.
PAS election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said all Perikatan candidates are ready to file their papers and have their candidacy endorsement letter signed by PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Perikatan candidates will be running under the PAS banner in the east coast states.
Sanusi, who is also Kedah Mentri Besar, said PAS is on standby for any unforeseen circumstances.
“Should there be any unforeseen glitches, we are standing by with back-up candidates in a few places, just as we have done in past elections. It is not a new thing,” he added.
He also said PAS’ crowd-control team, Unit Amal, will be out in full force in all states to manage its supporters on the ground.
“PAS has always been quite good with our crowd control,” he noted.
“We urge all supporters and candidates to remain calm and remember the main reason why we are at nomination centres – to show our full support and boost the morale of our candidates. No one is there for his own agenda.
“I ask that there be no provocation and not to let anyone provoke us as emotions will run high.
“Stay calm, mask up, stay safe and let the nomination process take place in a civilised manner. How we behave as a party on nomination day is how we will be judged by our voters,” said Sanusi.
Muda deputy president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz said the party, which is making its national polls debut, is recruiting PACAs and volunteers to help with its campaign.
“As (Muda’s) elections director, I am currently touring all states that we are contesting to see their progress and assist in their campaigns,” she said when contacted yesterday.
She added that seat allocations between Pakatan and Muda have been finalised, with the party led by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman contesting six seats in GE15.
“We have formed an official electoral pact and hope that the partnership remains strong throughout the campaign and after that.
“Muda has advised our candidates to push on the reforms that we want to bring. We are no longer interested in old politics as we are trying to practise a new kind of politics where you don’t just criticise but provide solutions as well,” said Amira Aisya.
She also said Muda candidates and on-ground teams would undergo daily Covid-19 tests.
“We want to ensure that we don’t bring harm to others during the campaign,” she added.
Pejuang information chief Ulya Aqamah Husamudin said preparations are in order for the Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad-led party and its Gerakan Tanah Air alliance partners.
He said a legal team has been appointed to ensure that technical issues are sorted out to prevent problems such as incomplete documents and others.
“The volunteer drive is going well. The machinery has already been mobilised, especially in Kedah,” he added.
Ulya said candidates have been instructed to ensure that there is no element of money politics.
“Pejuang/GTA is very particular about this. The culture of money politics must be curbed.
“Increase door-to-door (rounds to canvass for votes), meet voters and relay our message to them,” he urged candidates.
He added that while GTA, which will be contesting 121 seats, is an underdog, the alliance wants to “quietly bring about change”.
