Friday 29 Mar 2024
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KUALA LUMPUR (April 10): The Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof announced today that the nomination day for the 13th general election will fall on April 20 and the polling day on May 5.

Telecast live on television channels at 12.30 pm (noon), the EC chief said about 13.268 million people are registered voters in this multi-racial country of 29.66 million people.

“Our seven-member panel Election Commission has a special meeting today to discuss matters relating to the election … The important dates are: Nomination day on April 20… polling day on May 5,” the EC chairman said.

Speaking at a press conference today, Abdul Aziz said these dates are chosen as “they are not close to” any other dates of significance.

"We have also consulted with the Department of Meteorology and they have said that these two dates have a positive weather forecast," he told a packed press conference.

Abdul Aziz added that it has allocated RM400 million to hold the upcoming federal and state elections, due to higher allowances to be paid out.

"Compared to the last election, this is expensive - but who knows? Perhaps GE14 will be even more expensive," he said.

The EC began its meeting at 9.30 am today to finalise the polling and nomination dates. Journalists had assembled at the media room of its office building in Putrajaya from 10.00 am today.

The Parliament was dissolved last Wednesday to pave way for the election, which is expected to be hotly-contested between the ruling Barisan Nasional and opposition Pakatan Rakyat.

The EC press conference is still on…

More to come…

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