MELAKA, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman said he knows when the next general election will be held but added that he could not reveal the date.
"I can't lie to you that I don't know when the next general election will be held. I can't tell you when but I have given enough reminders to all to prepare for the polls," he said.
Admitting that the election fever was on the rise, he asked all quarters to gear up for the 12th general election as the EC did not want any party to be lagging in their preparation.
"As the EC is making the preparations, political parties must also get their machinery ready," he told reporters after attending a briefing for Melaka returning officers, assistant returning officers and election campaign enforcement teams, here. Thursday's briefing is the first in a series of briefings to be held nationwide.
Abdul Rashid said he believed that the general election would be held shortly after the nationwide briefings ended in one and a half months. Commenting on the criticisms levelled at the EC, he said elections in the country were free and fair and transparent, in accordance with existing laws.
Abdul Rashid, who has served as EC secretary before, said: "We are using the same laws which had been in existence (for a long time) and if certain quarters are not happy with that, they shouldn't blame the EC.
"They have to convince the authorities to review the laws."
He said the EC was prepared to engage in a dialogue with those who accused the commission of not being fair, independent and transparent.
tunku : so it means that election will be held after dec 07 and most probably before april 08. so there's ample time for all to start their machineries and start campaigning from now. i hope permits will be given to all to conduct "ceramah" in appropriate places and all parties should make sure there is no untoward incidents happen during their gatherings.Let us fight the true democracy way and no cheating please, may it be the government or the opposition.EC should really be transparent.
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3 comments:
UMNO will need to hold its Election by July 1st, 2008.
If GE is held say in late April, it means in 2 months UMNO will hold its party election.
The manner the drama of Norza, Khairy, Azalina vs Rafidah is happening gives rise to possibility that they are those trying to beat the ahead of the crowd in party campaigning.
GE can be as late as 2009. Could it be possible there would be no GE till party election?
time.
dear tunku, you re an optimist!
:) I am impressed.
do be impressed unnecessarily :)
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