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Selangor to take legal action against redelineation
Published:  Sep 24, 2016 1:37 PM
Updated: 10:26 AM

The Selangor government will take legal action against the redelineation proposal, after the Election Commission failed to address its query on the matter.

In particular, the Selangor government sought an explanation on the constitutionality of the redelineation proposal.

"Yesterday, I received a reply from the EC which completely failed to address the key issues raised, leaving one with the distinct impression that they have no justification for the redelineation," said Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali in a statement.

"The EC must act in a responsible manner and not brush off serious questions upon such fundamental and crucial matters, which go to the very basis of our democracy.

"In view of the position taken by the EC in their letter, I and the state government will be instructing our lawyers to look into all legal options that are available to us"

Critics, among others, said the proposal is unconstitutional as it creates "super constituencies", contravening the 'one man one vote' principle.

Big BN win expected

Meanwhile, Selangor think tank Institute Darul Ehsan said BN can expect to win big in the 14th general election if the redelineation proposal is passed.

"BN's victory in 2004 was due to redelineation. The Pak Lah factor was too small," referring to the landslide win after fifth prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi entered office.

"DAP's defeats in five Sarawak seats (in the May state polls) were also due to redelineation and not drop in support by Chinese voters," IDE deputy chairperson Redzuan Othman told Sinar Harian.

Redzuan was director of the Universiti Malaya's Centre for Democracy and Elections (Umcedel) before joining the Selangor government funded IDE.

He said the same trend of landslide post-redelineation victories for the incumbent government could be seen in 1974, 1986 and 2004.

He added opposition-held seats in the Federal Territories including PKR vice president Nurul Izzah Anwar's seat of Lembah Pantai could be won by BN in the next polls, thanks to the redelineation.

He said the redelineation proposal, which seems to also change boundaries along racial lines, is "unhealthy" but most of the electorate do not know they have the right to object.

Objection period closes on Oct 15.

READ: Your Kiniguide to redelineation

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