Elections Commission chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof today said that the commission will respond next week to the request by Penang and Selangor state governments to hold local council elections.

NONE "We will respond to them, latest by next week. It will be based on our interpretation of the law,” Abdul Aziz told reporters at a press conference in Putrajaya.

“We will not be bound by anyone’s opinion, regardless of whether it is the prime minister or members of the opposition."

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had last week said that local council polls were unnecessary .

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said he had sent a letter to Abdul Aziz on March 4 asking the commission to conduct election for its local councils.

Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim came out in support of the Penang government's move the next day.

In another matter, Abdul Aziz said he will look into request to allow reporters, fireman, doctors and nurses on duty to cast postal votes, if they are unable to vote on the actual polling day.