Analysis of the Malaysian Electoral System

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According to the Election Commission (EC) of Malaysia (“Process of election”, n.d.), there are six steps for the Electoral process in Malaysia. It consists of the issuance of the writ, nomination of candidates, election campaign, polling, counting of votes and announcement of results.

Firstly, a writ to the Returning Officers (RO) will be issued by the Election Committee under the Elections Act 1958 (“The election process - 13th Malaysian”, 2013) after the dissolution of the Parliament or a State Legislative Assembly or in the event of a casual vacancy (“Process of election”, n.d.). The RO can then conduct the elections. A notice of election will be announced and posted in public places for citizens to view. The notices will include some information such as the date of nomination and the polling date (“Process of election”, n.d.). There will be an advanced voting date for those who are absent on the exact polling date (“Process of election”, n.d.).

Next, during the process of nomination the candidates, proposer or seconder will submit the nomination forms to the RO between 9 a.m. to 10a.m. on nomination day (“Process of election”, n.d.). The nomination forms must be accompanied by a statutory declaration along with a deposit of RM10, 000 to contest for a parliamentary seat and RM5, 000 for a state seat by the candidates (“The election process - 13th Malaysian”, 2013). The Assistant Returning Officers will assist the RO to ensure that the candidates are eligible to stand for the elections. The candidates are disqualified if they are of unsound mind, relinquished their citizenship, failed to lodge any return of election expenses, holds an “office of profit”, convicted of an offense by a court of law in Malaysia with a jail term of...

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Report of special select committee on electoral reforms, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.parlimen.gov.my/images/webuser/jkuasa/DR_%201%20YEAR%202012%20-%20PART%20VII.pdf

Response from Bersih 2.0 to the recommendations of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reform, (2012). Retrieved from http://www.bersih.org/?p=4627

The election process - 13th Malaysian general election. (2013, March 8). The Star Online. Retrieved from http://elections.thestar.com.my/story.aspx?file=/2013/3/8/election2012/20130308160214#.UwwxrfmSwoa

The electoral process. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://aliran.com/archives/hr/js9.html

The role of the Election Commission- 13th Malaysian general election. (2013, March 8). The Star Online. Retrieved from http://elections.thestar.com.my/story.aspx?file=/2013/3/8/election2012/20130308172701

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