The Role of Elections in Malaysia

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Elections are a tool or technique used by the people to elect their representatives. Elections held in Malaysia aimed to choose their representatives for the legislators (law makers) whether the Legislative Assembly (DUN) or the Parliament. PR can be categorized in two forms, namely:

1. General Election; and

2. Small Election

General Election

General Election was held every 5 years maturity which is when an elected government that had previously been achieved as stated in the Constitution of Malaysia. However, the Constitution and the rules allow the general election held earlier by the dissolution of Parliament or the Assembly first. General election (GE) 12th edition (the first time since the year 1959) was held on March 8, 2008, at about 4 years after the general election to the 11th. GE-11 was to be held on March 21, 2004.

Small Election

This election is not scheduled as the General Election. He held the vacant seat caused by the same representatives in the Assembly or Parliament. This vacancy occurs due to several factors such as the death of elected representatives (the most common cause) or elected representatives in the General Elections to resign for one reason or another.

However, small Elections can only be held if the next general election is still much to be competed within 60 days or 90 days of Peninsular Malaysia in Sabah and Sarawak, the date of the vacancy.

For example, assembly elections Permatang Pasir, Pulau Pinang, to be held on August 25 due to deaths later state assemblyman Datuk Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman of the Parti Islam se-Malaysia (PAS) on July 31, 2009.

Here is a list of election to the post-GE-12 due to the factors described above.

1. Parliamentary election Permatang Pauh, Pulau Pinang 2008 - MPs resign

2. Parliamentary election Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu 2009 - The death of the original MPs

3. Parliamentary election Bukit Gantang, Perak 2009 - the death of original MPs

4. State assembly election Bukit Selambau, Kedah 2009 - MPs resign

5. State assembly election Batang Ai, Sarawak 2009 - The death of the original MPs

6. State assembly election Penanti, Penang 2009 - MPs resign

7. Assembly election Manek Urai, Kelantan 2009 - The death of the original MPs

8. State assembly election Permatang Pasir, Pulau Pinang 2009 - The death of the original MPs

9. State assembly election Bagan Pinang, Negeri Sembilan 2009 - The death of the original MPs

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