Amanah delegates reject motion not to hold by-elections due to death

Summary

• The Amanah Convention rejects a motion proposing that by-elections not be held in the event of an unexpected vacancy.

• The motion, proposed by Amanah Women, cites high costs but is met with mixed views and ultimately the delegates rejected it.

Delegates gathered for the Amanah Convention today have rejected a motion proposing that a by-election need not be held in the event of an unexpected vacancy.

The motion proposed by Amanah Women urged central party leaders to recommend that the government amend Article 54(1) of the Federal Constitution not to hold a by-election if an elected representative’s death causes a sudden seat vacancy.

The wing’s organisational secretary Anis Afida Mohd Azli, in tabling the motion said consideration must be given to the high expenses incurred in holding a by-election.

According to Anis, based on data shared by a constitutional expert previously, more than RM66 million was spent between 1999 and 2016 for by-elections, with an average of RM1 million spent for each by-election.

"In view of this situation, Amanah Women urges the government to amend Article 54 (1) of the Federal Constitution, so that elections do not need to be held to fill unexpected vacancies in the Dewan Rakyat and state legislative assembly within 60 days from the date of declaration caused by the death of the incumbent.

"The amendment (also) needs to allow for the vacancy of the incumbent's seat to be filled by naming a successor from the party that won the seat.

"This can save the country's expenses as well as that of all parties involved," she said.

Following debates, which raised mixed views from delegates, more voices eventually voted against the motion.

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