Johor, Negeri Sembilan await EC decision as state polls clock starts ticking

SHAH ALAM - Attention is now focused on the Election Commission (EC) as Johor and Negeri Sembilan prepare for state elections following the dissolution of their respective state assemblies, with both states constitutionally required to complete the electoral process within 60 days.

Johor became the first of the two states to dissolve its assembly after Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi announced the dissolution of the Johor State Legislative Assembly on June 1, paving the way for the state's 16th election.

The following day, Johor State Assembly Speaker Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi confirmed that the official notice of dissolution had been submitted to the EC.

EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun has since said the commission will convene a special meeting as soon as it receives official notification from the Speaker to determine key election dates, including nomination day, early voting and polling day.

"The EC will announce a date to hold a special meeting to discuss the key dates for the 16th Johor state assembly elections as soon as it receives official notification," Ramlan said.

The Johor election must be held within 60 days of the June 1 dissolution, meaning polling must take place no later than July 31.

Meanwhile, Negeri Sembilan has also entered election mode after Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun announced the dissolution of the state assembly, ending weeks of speculation over the state's political future.

The dissolution means the EC is now expected to decide whether both state elections will be held separately or coordinated within a similar timeframe.

Under Malaysian election procedures, once a state assembly is dissolved, the Speaker must formally notify the EC.

The commission then convenes a special meeting to fix the dates for nomination, early voting and polling.

The election process must be completed within 60 days from the date of dissolution, as provided under the respective state constitutions.

Based on previous state elections, nomination day is typically set about two weeks before polling, with campaign periods commonly lasting between 12 and 14 days.

A similar timeline was seen during the 2023 Negeri Sembilan election, where the assembly was dissolved on July 1, nominations were held on July 29, and polling took place on Aug 12, resulting in a 14-day official campaign period.

Political observers expect the EC's special meeting to be held in the coming days following receipt of all necessary notifications from the affected states.

Once the dates are fixed, the EC will begin full-scale preparations, including the issuance of election writs, printing ballot papers, deployment of election workers, management of advance and postal voting arrangements and coordination with security agencies.

With Johor already having submitted its dissolution notice and Negeri Sembilan expected to complete the same process, all eyes are now on the EC's upcoming special meeting, which will determine the nomination and polling dates for what are shaping up to be two closely watched state elections ahead of the next general election.