THE Election Commission (EC) is reviewing the current spending limits for election candidates and examining whether political party expenditures during campaign periods should also be included under the law, as part of broader reforms to the Election Offences Act 1954.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the review aims to modernise electoral regulations in line with evolving campaign practices.
“Under the Act, the current maximum expenditure permitted is RM200,000 for each Dewan Rakyat candidate and RM100,000 for each state assembly candidate,” she said in a written parliamentary reply, noting that these caps apply solely to individual candidates rather than the political parties they represent.
Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (PH–Pandan) had asked the government about potential amendments to the Act, particularly in relation to the spending limits imposed on parliamentary and state assembly candidates.
Azalina highlighted that the EC is examining the growing use of digital platforms in election campaigns, including the costs associated with advertising on social media.
“The Commission is examining digital campaign methods adopted by candidates during elections, including the cost of advertising on social media,” she said.
She added that engagement sessions with relevant stakeholders would be conducted to ensure that any amendments to the Act are implemented in an orderly manner and reflect the perspectives of all parties involved.
“As such, the EC has not finalised any proposed amendments pending the completion of the engagement process,” she said, indicating that changes to campaign finance regulations remain under careful consideration. - February 26, 2026
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