![[UPDATED] Melaka goes to the polls Nov 20](https://media.thevibes.com/images/uploads/covers/_large/13102020-KUL-spr_election_comission_the_EC-VIBES_PIC.jpg)
KUALA LUMPUR – The Election Commission (EC) has set November 20 as polling day for the Melaka vote and November 8 for nomination, giving parties 12 days to campaign.
At a press conference in Melaka today, EC chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said early voters can cast their ballots on November 16.
The electoral body is expecting a turnout of around 70% of the more than 295,000 registered voters, despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ghani did not elaborate on the health and safety standard operating procedures that will be put in place, saying these will be prepared by the National Security Council, Health Ministry and police.
“To assist with the election process, the EC has appointed 28 election officers, who will be assisted by 80 assistant officers.
“The commission has also set up a campaign task force, comprising representatives from police, local councils and candidate staff,” he told reporters after chairing a meeting on the state election.
He said the polls are being held in line with the state constitution, which requires an election to be conducted within 60 days of the state assembly’s dissolution.
The state assembly was dissolved by Governor Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam on October 5 after Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali lost majority support as chief minister.
This followed the withdrawal of support of four assemblymen: former Umno duo Datuk Seri Idris Haron and Datuk Nor Azman Hassan, Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee (independent) and Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad (formerly of Bersatu).
The public has urged the government to put on hold the election by declaring a statewide emergency, similar to the one currently in force in Sarawak.
Pakatan Harapan, along with Norhizam and Noor Effandi, previously urged Ali to rescind his decision to dissolve the state assembly given the health crisis.
Ghani said a total of 217 polling centres will be open on voting day from 8am to 5.30pm, while 31 will be set up for early voting.
The EC will spend RM46 million to carry out the polls. – The Vibes, October 18, 2021
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