Lion’s share of election budget

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ALL GEARED UP: Wan Ahmad holds a booklet on EC’s preparation for the 13th general election. Also seen are Takun (left) and Mohamed Ramji (right).

KUCHING: The Election Commission (EC) has set aside RM78 million for the state for the 13th general election, the biggest allocation among all the states.

In revealing this yesterday, deputy chairman Datuk Wira Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said this was despite the fact that other states in the country would have to conduct their respective state elections concurrently with the parliamentary election.

Some 56.16 per cent of the budget will be used to cover rental fees for logistical support, accommodation and others. The rest are for meal allowance of election workers (22.67 per cent) and other requirements such as travelling allowance (17.58 per cent).

“I have travelled to almost all the states in the country and found out Sarawak needs the biggest budget,” he said.

“It is very expensive to run an election. This is why we always advise the states especially those under the opposition Pakatan Rakyat to conduct their state elections concurrently with the general election.

“If the states dissolve their respective legislative assemblies separately, all these will require different budget,” he told a press conference after conducting a briefing for Kuching Zone EC appointed general election enforcement officers at Pullman Hotel here.

Also present were state EC director Datu Takun Sunggah and commission member Datuk Mohamed Ramji Ali.

Wan Ahmad disclosed that the general election budget for the whole country was estimated to be more than RM300 million.

On Sarawak, he said a total of 27 helicopters would be used for the general election to service 15 parliamentary constituencies – Santubong, Mambong, Batang Lupar, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Betong, Tanjong Manis, Julau, Kanowit, Selangau, Kapit, Hulu Rajang, Baram, Limbang and Lawas.

Besides that, he said EC would use 777 boats, 53 speedboats, 4,600 cars and 4WD vehicles and two fixed wing aeroplanes.

He also disclosed that 1,756 polling centres and 2,667 voting channels would be set up in the state for the general election.

Asked on the election date, Wan Ahmad said it was the prerogative of the prime minister.

There are 220 parliamentary constituencies in the country, requiring about 300,000 election workers.