The six-state elections kick off today with the nomination of candidates at 173 centres across the states.
All the nomination centres opens at 9am.
Prospective candidates representing political parties or contesting on an Independent ticket in the state elections in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu have until 10 am to submit their nomination forms to the returning officer at all nomination centres.
Apart from the 245 state seats, also to be held is the by-election for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat, which was declared vacant following the Terengganu Election Court’s decision to nullify the victory of Datuk Ahmad Amzad Hashim of PAS in the 15th general election (GE15).
The 14-day campaign period for the state elections and the by-election will begin after the official announcement of candidates is made by the returning officer and will run until 11.59pm on August 11.
The Election Commission (EC) has set August 12 as the polling date for the state elections in Selangor, Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Negeri Sembilan as well as the Kuala Terengganu by-election and early voting on August 8.
It is the first time the six states hold their state elections separately from the General Election.
The State Assembly of Kelantan, which has 45 seats, was dissolved on June 22, followed by the 56-seat State Assembly of Selangor on June 23.
The 40-seat Penang State Assembly, 36-seat Kedah State Assembly, and 32-seat Terengganu State Assembly were dissolved simultaneously on June 28, while the 36-seat Negeri Sembilan State Assembly completed its full five-year term before being dissolved on July 1.
According to EC’s statistics, a total of 9,773,571 registered electors were eligible to vote in the six state elections with Selangor having the highest number at 3,747,057; Kedah (1,585,085); Kelantan (1,411,912); Penang (1,234,198); Terengganu (930,894); and Negeri Sembilan (864,425).
As for the weather, as we don’t want any situation that could dampen the mood, fair weather is expected in Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu in the morning today, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department, rain is forecast in one or two areas in the interiors of Selangor, while thunderstorms in one or two places are predicted in Negeri Sembilan.
While state elections are usually less fired compared to the general election and also the first time Malaysia is having half of its Peninsular go to the polls, the incumbent government is not having it easy with the opposition treating it like GE.
If you thought the last two months had been a roller coaster of political drama., expect the next two weeks to turn into a boxing ring match. With Prime Minister Anwar in one corner versus Muyhiddin, Mahathir, and Hadi in the other, this will be a true test on the Unity government’s resilience!
