RM400mil to conduct GE14, says EC

An estimated RM400mil is needed to conduct the 14th General Election (GE14), according to the Election Commission.

EC chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah (pic) said the expenditure included rental costs, procurement of equipment, payment of allowances and honorarium.

“All nomination centres, polling centres and counting centres have been identified and are ready to operate,” he said, adding that 250,000 temporary workers were needed to ensure the smooth running of GE14.

Mohd Hashim said transport requirements, including helicopters, had also been identified, with all logistics preparations in good order.

He said the EC expected some 100,000 representatives or agents of contesting parties to act as observers throughout GE14.

Mohd Hashim said the number did not include observers outside the polling centres.

In short, he said, the observers would be aware of everything that was going on inside and outside the polling centres.

“The EC will emphasise to the candidates that they must have their representatives or agents around throughout the process of the elections.

“We will read out the names of these observers to assure the public of transparency and fairness; therefore political parties should not worry about transparency of the electoral process which the country had always practised,” he said. Aside from that, he said the EC was also waiting for response from international observers, including from Commonwealth and Asean countries that had been invited.

He added that local observers from non-partisan non-governmen- tal organisations and university representatives had also been appointed.

On his own preparation in leading a general election for the first time, Mohd Hashim admitted that it was a challenge.

“Personally, I am dealing with various emotions but I am optimistic that I can do what is best as I am also assisted by the workforce, secretariat officials and committed and experienced officers,” he said.

Describing the prior seven by-elections and the 11th Sarawak state election as a “training ground”, he said he would apply such valuable experience in GE14.