The Election Commission (EC) has no administrative powers to add more parliamentary seats. - NSTP file pic
The Election Commission (EC) has no administrative powers to add more parliamentary seats. - NSTP file pic

KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) has no administrative powers to add more parliamentary seats to the current 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, said Minister in Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

According to him, any proposal to make such changes would require a study over a period of time, as well as amendments to the Federal Constitution.

"If it is related to the provision of Clause (2) of Article 113 of the Federal Constitution, the EC can start the Boundary Review after the expiration of not less than eight years from the date of completion of the previous review.

"But, if the EC starts this, it must be completed within two years.

"On that note, the eight-year period for the review of the boundaries of Sarawak will end in 2023, Sabah in 2025, and the Malayan States in 2026," he said in the Lower House today.

Wan Junaidi said this in response to Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) who asked on the government's plan to balance the total number of voters in each parliamentary constituency as well as the EC's administrative powers.

 Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar speaking during the parliament sitting today in Kuala Lumpur. - BERNAMA PIC
Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar speaking during the parliament sitting today in Kuala Lumpur. - BERNAMA PIC

Cha also asked if the government planned on adding parliamentary seats or to conduct a redelineation process after the country saw an increase in the number of registered voters this year.

At the moment, Wan Junaidi said the government has yet to decide on both matters as such suggestions need to come from the EC instead of Putrajaya.

"The government does not have the right to meddle in the EC's job as it is an independent body.

"It has the freedom to come up with suggestions to recommend to the government," Wan Junaidi said.