PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission (EC) proposes to increase of the number of state seats in Sarawak by 11 seats, from the current 71 to 82.
EC secretary Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said proposal was in accordance with an amendment to the state constitution on Dec 5, 2014.
“For the purpose of the Constituency Delineation Review, there is a change of name to Federal Constituencies and State Constituencies,” he said in a statement here today.
Abdul Ghani explained that the details of the proposed recommendations will be stated in the Notice of Boundary Reconstruction which will be published later.
“The EC will exhibit the proposal for the Constituency Delineation Review for Sarawak for a period of one month from Jan 5 (Monday) until Feb 4 (Wednesday) at specified places in the Boundary Reconstruction Notice which will be published in local newspapers on Jan 5.
“The total number of voters in the Electoral Roll that was endorsed and gazetted on April 30, 2014, is being used as the basis for the preparation for the proposed Review of Boundaries,” said Abdul Ghani.
He explained that a copy of the proposal along with a map of parts of the Federal Constituencies and State Constituencies of Sarawak will also be exhibited for public inspection during office hours on any working day in such places as may be specified in the notice published.
According to him, only parties authorised by the Federal Constitution can protest against the proposals.
They are the state government or any local authority whose area, in whole or in part, is included in parts of the electoral division affected by the proposals.
Another party that is permitted is a group of 100 people or more whose names are shown in the electoral roll in the constituency, said Abdul Ghani.
He said that every objection to the proposed recommendations shall be submitted in writing to the Director of Elections in Sarawak at the Sarawak State Election Office, 11th Floor, Bangunan Sultan Iskandar, Jalan Simpang Tiga, 93728 Kuching.
Such objections must reach the EC at the respective address within one month from the date of publication of the notice. – Bernama