Inform EC early so polls can be held faster, Bersih tells states

Inform EC early so polls can be held faster, Bersih tells states

The electoral watchdog accuses some states of creating uncertainty and unnecessarily burdening the public and businesses.

Electoral watchdog Bersih says if the states inform the EC of when they plan to dissolve their assemblies, the electoral process can be set in motion faster.
PETALING JAYA:
Bersih has urged the six states heading into elections to be more responsible by officially informing the Election Commission (EC) of their planned dissolution dates so that it can quickly plan for the polls.

Bersih said early notification would enable the EC to decide the nomination and election days for the states.

In a statement today, the electoral watchdog accused some states of creating uncertainty and unnecessarily burdening the public and businesses.

“The last dissolution date, according to media reports, is now June 30 (for Negeri Sembilan), so nine days are wasted while the EC waits.

“If the EC can announce the election date earlier, this facilitates the planning for everyone involved, including election officials, political parties, the security forces, businesses and the voters.

“This will also help them to plan their schedules to vote in the elections,” Bersih said.

Selangor is the latest state to announce its dissolution, on June 23.

Under the constitution, elections must be held within 60 days of an assembly’s dissolution.

Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Negeri Sembilan and Selangor are all due to go to the polls within the next two months.

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