KUCHING: The Election Commission (EC) spent RM420 million on the four state elections since 2020, including the Sarawak state election which was held on Dec 18 last year.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that the commission spent RM130 million on the Sabah election, Melaka (RM45 million), Sarawak (RM149 million) and Johor (RM96 million).
He said the costs include acquisition and rental of equipment, vehicles, ICT, logistics, staff allowances and other related expenses.
“It also takes into consideration the equipment costs according to Covid-19 prevention guidelines,” he said in a written reply on Wednesday (March 22).
The Sabah state election was the first polls held during the Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia, with 73 seats up for grabs on Sept 26, 2020.
Last year, Melaka with 28 state seats had its election on Nov 20, followed by Sarawak election (82 seats) the following month.
Meanwhile, Johor also held its state polls on March 12, where a total of 239 candidates contested 56 seats.
It was previously reported that the EC had appointed 82 managing officers and 249 assistants to ensure the 12th Sarawak election to be held smoothly.
A total 82 nomination centres and 82 counting centres would be set up where 46,565 personnel were involved in the election process.
In addition, a total 155 enforcement teams comprising police, local government officers and candidate representatives will be set up to monitor election campaign activities.
The voting process will be conducted at 1,866 centres, involving 3,555 channels on Dec 18 and 85 centres, involving 111 channels for early voting (on Dec 14).
