SIBU: The date for the much anticipated 10th state election may be determined by the weatherman. Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said they would consult the Meteorological Department prior to setting the election date.
He cited the recent Tenang by-election, which was hampered by flooding.
“We have experienced such a situation during the Tenang by-election. So, we will be more prepared for any possibility for the Sarawak state election,” he said.
Abdul Aziz told reporters this after officiating at the ‘Briefing for Returning Officers (ROs) and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs)’ for the 10th state election yesterday.
He said there was a possibility that there would be an increase in the approved RM45 million election budget if flooding occurred.
“But we are prepared in terms of logistics,” he said, adding that the EC has prepared floatation devices to carry ballot boxes, umbrellas, raincoats and other equipment.
The EC, he said, would use 24 helicopters, 4,124 four-wheel drive vehicles, 919 longboats and 63 speedboats to cover the vast area of the state and its widely scattered population.
A total of 24 district officers from the central region have been selected as ROs for the upcoming election.
They will be assisted by 51 AROs to manage the election process at 24 state constituencies from N33 Kalaka to N56 Baleh.
A similar briefing will be held in Miri for 15 ROs and 39 AROs soon.