EC to set Melaka poll dates on Oct 7

The Election Commission (EC) will convene on October 7 to finalize the schedule for the 16th Melaka state election, including the date of polling. Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus, the EC secretary, revealed that the meeting, chaired by EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun, will evaluate the state election preparations. The Melaka State Legislative Assembly was dissolved on September 23, thereby triggering the election within 60 days.

This dissolved the 15th state assembly whose term was scheduled to conclude on December 27. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh announced the dissolution following the final state executive council meeting at Seri Negeri Auditorium. The Speaker of the state assembly, Datuk Ibrahim Durum, then forwarded the dissolution notice to the EC.

The EC has already accepted applications for both domestic and overseas postal voting for the Melaka election, with the closing date for applications yet to be announced. In the 2021 Melaka state election, Barisan Nasional secured 21 out of the 28 seats, while Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional captured five and two seats respectively.