KUALA LUMPUR: The delineation of state constituencies in Sarawak will commence after the state constitution on the matter is enacted.
Election Commission (EC) secretary Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said the exercise was subjected to the provisions of Clause 3B of Article 113 of the Federal Constitution.
“As it involves the Federal Constitution provision under Clause 3B of Article 113, a delineation notice will be issued by EC under Clause 2 of Article 113 of the Federal Constitution.
“When the notice is issued, EC needs to complete the review in not more than two years from the date of the review,” he added in a statement here today.
He said, according to Clause 6 of Article 113 of the Federal Constitution, review of delineation would be divided into three separate units, namely the states of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak.
Therefore, he said the delineation exercise for Sarawak could be carried out separately from other units.
Last Tuesday, the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly approved a bill to increase the total number of state assemblymen from the current 71 to 82.
According to state housing and tourism minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, the addition was based on the principles of electorate growth, following the rapid development and economic activities in the state since its last review in 2005.
He said 82 state constituencies was a reasonable number to provide adequate and effective democratic representation for the people.
Sarawak had only 48 state constituencies before the first election in 1969, rising to 56 in 1985, 62 (1995) and 71 (2005).-Bernama