[UPDATED] EC announces simultaneous state polls on August 12

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysians in six states will be simultaneously casting their votes for their respective state assemblies on August 12. 

With early voting set for August 8, candidate nominations for the polls in six states – Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu – will fall on July 29. 

The matter was announced by Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh during a press conference today.

Ghani also said that the closing date for early voting applications is July 8 for Malaysians overseas and July 11 for agencies and organisations, with postal voting applications available online. 

Meanwhile, media, army, police and election officials have until July 26 to complete their early voting applications. 

Ghani added that a total of 9,773,571 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the states, which will see a total of 3,450 polling centres with 17,425 polling stations and channels, of which 260 are early voting centres with 377 polling stations. 

The EC, Ghani said, has formed 252 election campaign enforcement teams involving the police, local authorities and representatives from political parties. 

The commission has also appointed 985 electoral officers and assistants. 

The state polls, which are being held now as the states involved refused to dissolve their legislative assemblies during the last general elections, will see competition in 245 state seats: Selangor (56), Kedah (36), Penang (40), Kelantan (45), Terengganu (32) and Negri Sembilan (36). 

Three of the six states – Penang, Negri Sembilan and Selangor – are currently held by PH while the other three – Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah – are governed by Perikatan Nasional.  

The polls will be the first state elections since the formation of the federal unity government and are said to be a test of Anwar’s support among the masses.  

The next general election, which will feature a race for seats in the Dewan Rakyat and several other state assemblies, is not due until February 2027. – The Vibes, July 5, 2023