Ec To Decide Ge15 Bugaya Polling Dates In Oct 20 Meeting

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The Election Commission (EC) will decide on key dates for the 15th general election in a meeting that will be held on Oct 20 at its headquarters in Putrajaya.
It will also do the same for the Bugaya by-election in Sabah.
“The special meeting will be chaired by EC chairperson Abdul Ghani Salleh, which will discuss key dates for the 15th general election (GE15) and the Bugaya by-election, such as the dates for the writ of election, nomination day, and polling day, the electoral roll that would be used, and other preparations for implementing the two elections,” EC secretary Indera Ikmalrudin Ishak said in a statement today.
A press conference will be held after the morning meeting, where the dates are expected to be announced.
The general election is constitutionally required to take place within 60 days of the dissolution of Parliament, meaning it must be held by Dec 9.
Monsoon coming
However, the impending Northeast monsoon season and the associated flooding is putting pressure on the EC to hold the election sooner rather than later.
Comptroller of the royal household Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong hopes the date will be before mid-November, when the monsoon is expected to begin.
Caretaker Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced Parliament’s dissolution yesterday, citing the need to seek a new mandate and put an end to doubts about the government’s legitimacy.
Meanwhile, the Bugaya state seat in Sabah has been left vacant since Nov 16, 2020, after the death of its incumbent Manis Muka Darah.
An emergency was declared to avoid holding a by-election due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which was only lifted on Oct 6. - Mkini

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