PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission (EC) sets Nov 4 as polling day for the Jepak state by-election in Sarawak and sets Oct 21 for the nomination day, while early voting is on Oct 31.
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EC deputy chairman Dr Azmi Sharom announced the dates at a press conference called after Monday's (Sept 25) special meeting on the by-election at Menara SPR.
The Electoral Roll that would be used for the Jepak by-election is the one updated until Sept 15, 2023, which contains 22,804 voters consisting of 22,761 ordinary voters and 43 police personnel, he added.
Azmi said the Jepak state by-election is expected to cost the government RM2 million.
The Jepak by-election is held following the death of its incumbent, Datuk Talib Zulpilip, 72, who passed away on Sept 15 due to kidney complications. He was the Jepak Assemblyman for six terms since 1996.
Jepak is in the Bintulu parliamentary constituency.
Azmi said Balai Raya Kampung Jepak, Bintulu, would be used as the nomination centre and the official vote tallying centre for the Jepak by-election and that the EC had appointed a returning officer, who would be assisted by three assistant returning officers to oversee the by-election.
He added that the EC has also appointed 446 officers to oversee the by-election process.
Azmi said two election enforcement teams would be set up to monitor campaigning activities throughout the by-election. The members would comprise representatives from the police, the local government authorities (PBT) and representatives of competing candidates.
The Jepak state by-election would have 15 polling stations, involving 46 polling streams, with one of the stations for early voting.
Voters are advised to check their voting information at https://mysprsemak.spr.gov.my, the MySPR Semak application or by calling the EC Hotline at 03-8892 7018/ 7218/ 7124, which will be opened starting this Oct 16.
Regarding the applications for postal voters, it is open from Monday (Sept 25), and the closing date is Oct 18 for Category 1A (election officials, EC members/officers, police, military and media personnel); Oct 4 for Category 1B (Malaysian citizens who are abroad); and Oct 9 for Category 1C (agencies/organisations).
"Applications for postal ballot for Category 1A, Category 1B and Category 1C should be made online," said Azmi, who also advised potential candidates for the by-election to fill in the nomination form and do an initial check with the office of the returning officer or the Sarawak election office before nomination day.
Azmi said applications are also opened to quarters, including government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) interested in becoming observers to see the process of the Jepak by-election.
Election observers can observe the election process during nominations, campaigning, early voting and polling day, and vote counting and tallying.
Applicants can visit the EC’s website at https://www.spr.gov.my/ for further information and to download the application form. The closing date to apply is Oct 9.- Bernama
