Proposer, seconder must be voters in candidate’s constituency or nomination papers will be rejected

File photo for illustration purposes only. Source: Election Commission/Facebook

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Oct 27: The proposer and seconder of a candidate in the Sarawak election must be registered voters in the constituency where the candidate is contesting, failing which the nomination papers will be rejected.

Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar said both individuals must have their names listed on the electoral roll for the particular constituency.

“If the names of the proposer and seconder do not appear on the electoral roll of that particular constituency, the nomination papers will be rejected,” he said during a press conference at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) Complex media room here today.

Asfia stressed that the proposer and seconder must be registered voters in the constituency where they are supporting the candidate’s nomination.

“If their names do not appear, they should not be the ones nominating and supporting the candidacy of that person,” he said.

He added that the latest electoral roll would be used for the upcoming Sarawak election.

The election follows the dissolution of the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, effective Oct 26, 2026, after Sarawak Governor Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar exercised his powers under Article 21(2) of the State Constitution.

With the dissolution, all proceedings of the current Assembly have concluded, paving the way for the State election process.

Following the dissolution, the Election Commission (EC) will issue a writ of election and publish a notice of election in the Government Gazette, after which it will assume responsibility for administering the election.

The EC will also announce Nomination Day and Polling Day. Under Regulation 3(1) of the Elections (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981, Nomination Day must be at least four days after the publication of the notice of election, while Polling Day must be at least 11 days after Nomination Day.

Under Article 21(4) of the Sarawak Constitution, the State election must be held within 60 days of the dissolution.

After polling concludes and the Returning Officers declare the winning candidates, the official results will be gazetted.

The newly elected State Legislative Assembly must then be summoned by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri to hold its first meeting within 120 days of the dissolution, in accordance with Article 21(4) of the State Constitution. — DayakDaily