EC: Separate state election can disrupt classes, put security at risk

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — Holding a separate state election from the 13th general election will not only be costly, but will also disrupt classes and put teachers in disarray, said Election Commission deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar. 

He said this was because schools had to be converted to polling centres again after the general election was over to make way for state polls. 

Teachers, who make up 80 per cent of the workforce needed for the general election, will have to be deployed again for the state election, Wan Ahmad (picture)added. 

“This should not be happening. We have to think of the interests of all quarters, not merely political interest,” he said in an interview on the “Hello Malaysia” programme on implications of a separate state election over Bernama TV last night. 

He was commenting on the Selangor government’s plan to hold a separate state election. 

Meanwhile, the Penang government had yet to make its decision on it while the Kedah government keeps the people guessing on its plan. 

On the other hand, the Kelantan government is willing to dissolve the state assembly simultaneously with that of the Parliament. 

Wan Ahmad said about RM400 million was needed to conduct the next general election while an additional RM50 million was needed to have a separate state election in Selangor alone. 

He said a separate state election would also put public order at risk as the police would have to be redeployed to maintain security due to different campaigning periods. — Bernama