THE Election Commission (EC) has attributed the decision to hold the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections separately to operational and logistical considerations, arguing that simultaneous polls would have placed excessive strain on election machinery and personnel.
EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said the commission faced significant challenges in preparing for the Negeri Sembilan election after the state assembly was dissolved unexpectedly, leaving insufficient time for the necessary groundwork to be completed.
According to him, the sudden dissolution meant election preparations in Negeri Sembilan were far less advanced compared with Johor, necessitating a staggered approach to ensure both polls could be conducted efficiently.
“In Negeri Sembilan, it was a ‘snap’ dissolution, so the situation was not prepared at all. In Negeri Sembilan, we only have the ballot boxes ready. Therefore, we need time for the team there to fully focus on preparations.
“We will settle Johor first, then deploy all our teams to assist Johor before moving on to assist Negeri Sembilan. If we were to conduct both elections simultaneously, our preparations simply would not be completed in time,” he said.
Ramlan made the remarks after announcing the election dates for the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state polls at the Election Commission headquarters.
The explanation comes amid questions over why the two neighbouring states, both heading to the polls within a similar timeframe, could not have their elections conducted on the same day to reduce costs and administrative demands.
Ramlan stressed that election management involves more than the availability of voting equipment, requiring trained personnel, logistical coordination and comprehensive operational readiness across multiple agencies and locations.
When asked about the validity and confirmation of the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly's dissolution, Ramlan emphasised that the matter falls outside the commission’s jurisdiction.
“That is outside the jurisdiction of the Election Commission,” he said.
Nevertheless, he revealed that the commission had sought legal advice from the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) regarding the issue and had received assurances that no legal complications had arisen.
“We obtained the views of the AGC and, at this point, there are no issues whatsoever,” he said.
The commission’s position underscores the complex logistical demands involved in administering state elections and highlights the importance of operational readiness in ensuring a smooth and credible electoral process. - June 12, 2026
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