PBB veteran believes GPS wants state polls done with in Nov

KUCHING (Nov 6): A Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) veteran believes that Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) wants the state election done with in November.

PBB’s deputy information chief Dato Peter Minos speculated that Nov 13 and Nov 27 for nomination and polling days would be preferred over other combination of dates.

Some other dates being bandied around by netizens are Nov 27 for nomination and Dec 11 for polling days while political observer Prof James Chin opined that polling day could be held anywhere between Dec 10 to Dec 31.

“I personally think and predict that GPS and the caretaker government want, and are eager, for the election to be over and done with in this month. If so, probably Nov 13 is preferred as nomination day and Nov 27 for the polling day,” Minos said today.

He said that many are already speculating that nomination for the upcoming state polls will be on Nov 13 and polling on Nov 27 which gives 13 days of campaigning.

“Others have said that it will be Nov 27 (nomination) and Dec 11 (polling), also 13 days of campaigning. Which one is to be believed?

“Well, we just have to wait for the Election Commission (EC) to meet first before they announce the dates. The EC will most probably fix and announce them next week now that the Chief Minister has mentioned that the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) was dissolved when the Yang di-Pertuan Agong lifted the Emergency on Nov 3, and now that election must be held by virtue of the Sarawak Constitution 60 days after that dissolution,” Minos said.

He added that the deep desire for a fresh mandate as soon as possible from the people and the fatigue of waiting for the election which should have been held last June have pushed the GPS government towards the need for a snap election.

“So it is for all political parties to get prepared and be ready right now with no time to waste. You know the election will and must be held within the next 57 days from today (Nov 6). Make no excuses anymore for the election to be postponed or cancelled or even cancelled for being unprepared or disorganised or disunited,” he advised.

“Others have said that it will be Nov 27 (nomination) and Dec 11 (polling), also 13 days of campaigning. Which one is to be believed?

“Well, we just have to wait for the Election Commission (EC) to meet first before they announce the dates. The EC will most probably fix and announce them next week now that the Chief Minister has mentioned that the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) was dissolved when the Yang di-Pertuan Agong lifted the Emergency on Nov 3, and now that election must be held by virtue of the Sarawak Constitution 60 days after that dissolution,” Minos said.

He added that the deep desire for a fresh mandate as soon as possible from the people and the fatigue of waiting for the election which should have been held last June have pushed the GPS government towards the need for a snap election.

“So it is for all political parties to get prepared and be ready right now with no time to waste. You know the election will and must be held within the next 57 days from today (Nov 6). Make no excuses anymore for the election to be postponed or cancelled or even cancelled for being unprepared or disorganised or disunited,” he advised.

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