State polls held separately for logistics, training reasons, says EC chairman

PUTRAJAYA - The Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections are being held separately because of logistical concerns and to ensure electoral workers have sufficient training, says Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun.

He said this was because the dissolution of the Negri Sembilan state assembly happened out of the blue.

"For Negeri Sembilan, it’s considered a snap election and we were unprepared.

"We only have ballot boxes there. We need time for EC workers to focus and complete the Johor polls before moving to Negeri Sembilan," he said after announcing the polling dates for the two state elections at EC headquarters here on Friday (June 12).

Earlier, Ramlan announced that the Johor state polls will be held on July 11 while the Negeri Sembilan polls will be on Aug 1.

For Johor, nominations will take place on June 27 with early voting on July 7.

As for Negeri Sembilan, nominations are on July 18 with early voting on July 28.

On a related matter, Ramlan said the validity of the Negeri Sembilan assembly dissolution was outside the EC’s jurisdiction.

However, he said the EC had sought the views of the Attorney General’s Chambers.

"For now, there is no issue," he said.

The Johor state assembly was dissolved on June 1, paving the way for the 16th state election.

Johor last held a state election on March 12, 2022, in which Barisan Nasional secured a two-thirds majority by winning 40 of the 56 seats.

Umno holds 33 seats, MCA four and MIC three.

Pakatan Harapan won 12 seats, Perikatan Nasional took three and Muda won one.

The Negri Sembilan assembly was dissolved on June 5.

The last state polls were held there on Aug 12, 2023, with Pakatan Harapan winning 17 seats, Barisan Nasional 14 and Perikatan Nasional, five.

The state was plunged into a political crisis after the 14 Barisan assemblymen from Umno withdrew support for Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun’s government.

They claimed to have been left with no other option but to declare a loss of confidence as the Mentri Besar had failed to handle the state royal crisis. - THE STAR