Why Johor votes first: Election Commission cites Negeri Sembilan’s surprise dissolution

PUTRAJAYA, June 12 — Logistical demands and preparations for election workers were among the main reasons Johor and Negeri Sembilan will not hold their state elections simultaneously, the Election Commission (EC) said today.

EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said Negeri Sembilan’s unexpected dissolution of its state assembly left insufficient time for preparations to be completed, Harian Metro reported this afternoon.

“(The Negeri Sembilan assembly) was dissolved suddenly. So the situation was not ready at all,” he was quoted telling reporters after announcing key dates for the two state elections.

“Negeri Sembilan only has the ballot boxes. So we need time for them (EC personnel) to really focus,” he added.

The explanation comes after the EC scheduled Johor and Negeri Sembilan to vote nearly three weeks apart despite expectations that both elections would be held concurrently.

Johor voters will head to the polls on July 11, with nomination day fixed for June 27 and early voting on July 7.

Negeri Sembilan will hold its election on August 1, with nominations on July 18 and early voting on July 28.

The commission estimates the combined cost of both state elections at RM167.4 million, comprising RM86.8 million for Johor and RM80.6 million for Negeri Sembilan.

In Johor, Barisan Nasional won 40 of the state’s 56 seats in the 2022 election, while Pakatan Harapan secured 12 and Perikatan Nasional four.

In Negeri Sembilan, PH currently holds 17 of the 36 seats, followed by BN with 14 and PN with five.

BN and PH are partners in the federal unity government.