Kuala lumpur: A special meeting of the Election Commission (EC) is currently taking place at Menara SPR to address crucial matters and establish key dates for the upcoming by-elections in Sabah's Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state constituencies.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the meeting, led by EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun, commenced at 10 am. Its primary purpose is to determine significant dates for the by-elections, including the issuance of the writ of election, nomination day, polling day, and the electoral roll to be employed, alongside other necessary preparations.
Present at the meeting are EC deputy chairman Dr Azmi Sharom and EC secretary Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus. The EC is scheduled to hold a press conference later this afternoon to share the outcomes of the meeting.
On December 9, Khairul Shahril revealed that the EC received official notifications from the Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, Tan Sri Johari Abdul, and the Speaker of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly, Datuk Seri Kadzim M. Yahya. These notifications pertained to the unexpected vacancies in the two seats following the passing of the incumbent, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, on December 5.
Khairul Shahril stated that, in line with Article 54 Clause (1) of the Federal Constitution and Article 21 (5) of the Sabah State Constitution, the unexpected vacancies of the P.187 Kinabatangan parliamentary seat and the N.58 Lamag state seat in Sabah must be filled within 60 days from the date the vacancy is confirmed by the EC.
Bung Moktar, aged 66, passed away in a Sabah hospital at 1.46 am on December 5, shortly after being re-elected as the Lamag state assemblyman for a second term. In the 17th Sabah state election on November 29, the late Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman successfully defended the Lamag state seat with a majority of 153 votes in a six-cornered contest.
On the national political stage, Bung Moktar's career began as the Kinabatangan Member of Parliament following his victory in the 10th general election in November 1999, serving for six consecutive terms.