EC to hold 2nd local inquiry on redelineation today

PETALING JAYA: The Election Commission (EC) will hold its second local inquiry on objections to the proposed redelineation of electoral boundaries in the parliamentary and state consti-tuencies of Selangor today.

Seri Andalas assemblyman Dr Xavier Jeyakumar said the EC has set the second inquiry date for today but the results of the state’s objections will not be known on the same day.

“The EC will inform us through the coming Parliament sitting of its decision,” he said.

EC communications head Mohd Sabri Abdullah, when contacted about the final date to resolve Selangor’s redelineation exercise, said: “It has not been decided yet.”

On whether it could be completed by the end of this month, Sabri said: “I am not sure, but we will keep all of you updated.”

After the first inquiry, the EC displayed the proposed recommendations for electoral boundaries for parliamentary and state constituencies in Selangor for a month until Feb 14.

Under Part II of the 13th Schedule of the Federal Constitution, the EC is required to hold inquiries to consider the objections following the mandated redelineation exercise. Following the first round of inquiries, the EC would then decide if changes to its proposals are necessary, requiring them to display the new proposal and allow objections to be filed for 30 days.

The EC may then hold the second and last round of local inquiries on those objections before making its final submission to the prime minister. The premier would then table it in Parliament for approval by a simple majority before it is forwarded to the king, before being gazetted.