Malaysia’s 15th General Election will be held on November 19, the Election Commission (EC) announced today.
Meanwhile, nomination day will fall on November 5 and the early voting period will be held on November 15, EC chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh told a press conference after a special governing body meeting.
This indicates that there will be a 14-day campaign period.
The early voters comprise Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Armed Forces, and Special Task Force personnel and their spouses.
According to Abdul Ghani, as of Oct. 9, the electoral roll for the upcoming polls contained more than 21 million voters.
The country’s caretaker PM Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the dissolution of parliament on October 10.
The decision comes after months of pressure from Umno leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to dissolve Parliament and hold a snap election. However, it has raised concerns considering Malaysia is about to experience its annual monsoon season soon which displaced more than a hundred thousand people last year and left 54 dead.
Under the constitution, an election has to be held within 60 days from the day parliament is dissolved which means that GE15 should be held no later than December 9.
Other stories to check out:
Malaysia’s GE15: How to vote if you’re living overseas | Coconuts
Malaysia dissolves parliament to make way for 15th general election | Coconuts
Malaysians divided on GE15 announcement, ready to cast a vote regardless | Coconuts
Former PM Mahathir is 97 years old and wants to run for elections again | Coconuts