[UPDATED] Sarawak polls on December 18, says EC

KUALA LUMPUR – Sarawak will be heading to the polls on December 18, said the Election Commission in a press conference today.

The agency set December 14 for early polling, and December 6 for nomination day.

Its chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said 82 returning officers will be deployed, with the assistance of 249 administrative officers.

“The EC will also establish 155 campaign enforcement officer teams that include representatives from police, local authorities, and candidates.

“We will use the latest electoral rolls updated on November 2 this year, which consist of 1,252,014 voters.”

Ghani said there are 1,252,014 eligible voters for the state election, and the EC is expecting a 70% turnout.

“Polling time will be from 7.30am to 5pm. Special lanes will be set up for those aged 60 and above, and for the handicapped.”

The EC will announce the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the state polls soon, he said.

Sarawak PKR vice-chairman and Miri MP Dr Teo Yu Keng said it is an act of injustice to deny new voters, but that it will fight to the end.

“If the polling is in January, new voters (under the automatic voter registration) can vote.

“Denying them their rights is unjust and unfair.”

Meanwhile, Pujut Parti Sarawak Bersatu chief Bruce Chai said the dates announced by the EC are advantageous for the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS).

“The dates were set in haste. GPS has gotten what it wants by denying new voters, and the opposition will have to fight very hard to do well under the present circumstances.”

The Sarawak assembly was dissolved on November 3 this year after the emergency period in the state – which was set to end in February next year – was annulled earlier at the behest of the GPS state administration.

The Vibes recently hinted that the 12th Sarawak election could be held on the weekend of December 18 and 19 – one week before Christmas. 

According to EC insiders, these were the most probable dates as the EC does not have much wriggle room left since the state polls need to be held by January 3.

“With a special meeting on the Sarawak polls being held only on November 24, the EC does not have many options for polling days left,” the insider had said.

Goodies galore

The expectations are that – based on previous elections – there will be goodies galore in the form of infrastructure projects such as house repairs, roads, and bridges for the electorate.

A RM9 billion development budget announced last year, and another RM10 billion for next year, will surely come in handy.

However, with the holiday season, there is the added prospect of Santa’s bag of goodies to entice voters.

The EC, and watchdog groups such as Bersih and Undi18, will not have it easy as observers in an election with so many isolated constituencies in the country’s largest state (at 125,000 sq km).

What more with a pandemic that could see SOPs preventing campaigning and crowds. On top of this, the rainy season could see state-owned machinery being used on the grounds of rendering aid.

Additionally, Sarawak’s poor internet connectivity will put rural communities at a disadvantage over the lack of information on candidates. – The Vibes, November 24, 2021

Additional reporting by Stephen Then