State leaders comfortable with polls preparation timeline

GEORGE TOWN: The more than three weeks available before nomination day is sufficient for all parties to carry out preparations, say state leaders.

This is the longest preparation period given by the Election Commission (EC) in the history of the country’s state polls, said Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.

“With such a long preparation period, the 14-day campaigning period is also enough,” he said.

In the last general election, Pakatan Harapan won 37 of the 40 seats in the state, including two which were won by Bersatu candidates, who later quit the coalition. Barisan Nasional won two seats and PAS one.

Before the dissolution, Pakatan held 33 seats, Barisan (two), Bersatu (four) and PAS one seat.

Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun also said the two-week campaign period was appropriate.

“I think most politicians have anticipated the polling date to be in early August and the nomination at the end of July, and they were all prepared,” he said at his office in Wisma Negri yesterday.

With polling day on Saturday, he felt Negri Sembilan voters staying in other states could return to their hometowns to cast their ballots, reported Bernama.

Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari also said two weeks of campaigning was enough, given the use of social media to woo voters.

“In these times when social media is becoming more and more popular, I believe it gives sufficient time to all parties to explain their policies and persuade voters,” he said.

“Elections will also be held on Saturday, which is a holiday.”

During the 14th General Election, Pakatan won 51 out of 56 Selangor state assembly seats, followed by Barisan with four and PAS with one.

Before the dissolution, Pakatan had 40 seats (PKR-19, DAP-15, Amanah-six), Barisan (five), Bersatu (four), Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) (two), while PAS, Pejuang, and Warisan had one each, along with one Independent representative.

The Batang Kali seat was declared vacant after the elected representative failed to attend the assembly sitting for over six months.