JOHOR BARU: The Election Commission (EC) has set March 12 for the Johor state election.
EC chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said the date was decided in a special meeting at Persada Johor here today.
"The nomination date for the 15th Johor state election has been set for Feb 26 while the date for early voting is set for March 8," said Abdul Ghani at a press conference after the meeting.
He said the EC has appointed 56 returning officers and 186 assistant returning officers to handle the election process.
"In order to monitor all campaign activities during the campaign period, we have set up 56 election campaign enforcement teams which comprises of personnel from the police, the local councils and representatives of the candidates," said Abdul Ghani.
He said a total of 2,597,742 voters are eligible to vote in the election.
"We are targeting a 70 per cent turnout for the election," said Abdul Ghani.
He said 1,021 normal voting centres and 63 early voting centres will be used in the election.
"A total of 49,290 personnel have been appointed to handle the election process. An estimated allocation of RM96 million is needed for the election," said Abdul Ghani.
Applications for overseas and local postal votes for Form 1B (Malaysians living overseas ) and Form 1C (Agencies in the security and health sector) is open from today (Feb 9) until Feb 18 while for Form 1A (election workers, EC members/officers, police, military and media personnel) the application is open from today until Feb 24.
"The application for the Form 1B and Form 1C categories can be made online. Applicants are advised to make their applications early to to avoid any issues or complications."
The Johor state assembly was dissolved on Jan 22 after Johor Sultan Sultan Ibrahim Sultan lskandar consented to its dissolution.
The snap election was called after the Perikatan Nasional government led by Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad had their simple majority at the State Assembly reduced to a mere one seat following the death of Kempas assemblyman and former Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian.
