The Election Commission has announced that state elections for Johor and Negeri Sembilan will be held on separate dates.  

The commission explained that logistics and operational readiness are among the reasons why the two elections cannot be held at once.

According to the EC, it’s because the Negeri Sembilan state assembly was suddenly dissolved, two years before its term was due to end.  

Political analyst Dr Oh Ei Sun says the EC’s reasoning is valid...

"The Negri Sembilan polls came quite suddenly. It was a snap poll, and therefore they need more time to lay the groundwork for administering the state election."

In addition to the EC, Dr Oh Ei Sun says the later polling date will also benefit political parties in Negeri Sembilan ...  

"The various political parties and players in Negri Sembilan might also need more time to sort out, for example, internal differences and so on."

Meanwhile, UM Political Analyst Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakob also echoed Dr Ei Sun's sentiments, adding that parties with sufficient resources can launch a more structured, and focused campaign...

"Ini memberi kelebihan kepada parti yang mempunyai organisasi yang tersusun dan sumber yang mencukupi untuk menggerakkan kempen secara berfokus. Bagi parti pemerintah, mereka boleh menilai sentimen pengundi..." 

Dr Tawfik adds that the useful move will also allow the EC to focus more comprehensively on operations including staff management, security, and the vote counting process...

"Mengadakan pilihan raya besar secara berasingan dapat mengurangkan risiko gangguan logistik yang mungkin timbul sekiranya diadakan serentak. Dari segi politik, membolehkan pengundi beri perhatian lebih mendalam..." 

This, as nomination day for the Johor elections falls on the 27th of June, while polling day takes place on the 11th of July.  

This will be followed by the polls for Negeri Sembilan – where nominations will take place on July 18th and polling day falls on August 1st.

Meanwhile, the PM has reminded everyone involved in the polls to follow the rules and respect campaign ethics, to ensure a smooth democratic process.