Intense battles expected in 46 seats

THE winners in the 13th GE scraped through with majorities of fewer than 3,000. An analyst says candidates will have to take additional measures to tip the scales in these parliamentary constituencies.

KUALA LUMPUR: Candidates who won by a slim majority (fewer than 3,000 votes) in parliamentary seats in the 13th General Election would need to step up their game if they are renominated to defend their seats in the 14th General Election (GE14).

This included addressing issues in their constituencies, or risk losing their seats.

Such candidates will need to identify voter demographic trends in their constituencies and kick off their election machinery as early as possible to face GE14.

Candidates in hot seats will also need to take additional measures to “sell themselves” to voters, as well as avoid sensitive issues, which could cause voters to vote for the opposing candidate.

Universiti Malaya Centre for Democracy and Elections director Associate Professor Dr Hamidin Abd Hamid said parties which had in place a structured and organised election machinery during GE14 would have a better chance of winning.

He said the party’s machineries and candidates would also need to focus on local issues, as well as identifying voter demographic trends, especially among young voters, to reduce the risk of losing their seats.

Hamidin said political party leaderships would also need to be tactful in placing winnable candidates.

He added that national issues, as well as those involving cost of living were likely to take centre stage in constituencies slated as hot seats.

“Multicornered fights at hot seats will not determine whether the seats are safe or risky for the incumbents.

“It depends on the efficiency of the party’s machinery,” he said recently.

Multicornered fights at hot seats will not determine whether the seats are safe or risky for the incumbents. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DR HAMIDIN ABD HAMID

Universiti Malaya Centre for Democracy and Elections director