KOTA KINABALU: The Parliamentary Speaker will be the one to decide if a seat is considered vacated to make way for a by-election in Sabah, says Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun.
He said this when asked whether a by-election would be held if any seats were vacated after the three-year Madani government had matured.
Ramlan stated that if the Parliamentary Speaker declares a seat vacant, then a by-election could be held if necessary, and the EC would decide on a by-election date.
Questions arise over whether the two state seats held by Putatan MP Datuk Shahelmey Yahya and Kalabakan MP Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy would be vacated, as their Umno memberships have been suspended and they may contest in the state election under a different party banner.
If they decide to contest under a different party, their Parliamentary seats would automatically be vacated.
Regarding questions about whether the EC was considering allowing Sabahans residing outside the state but in Malaysia to cast postal votes, he said the matter has not been decided.
“So, Sabahans outside the state within Malaysia still have to return to vote,” said Ramlan.
He said the voting dates were chosen based on logistical and other factors, including exam sessions.
“The polling day falls on a Saturday, so there will be no clashes between the exams (SPM) and voting day,” he said.
