Snap polls could cost RM 1.2b, says Minister

Last updated on May 6th, 2021 at 07:08 am

PETALING JAYA – Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan told the parliament that if snap election was called, it would cost the government RM1.2bil.

Takiyuddin said that the additional cost is maily due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the measures needed to put in place to have a safe elections.

The last 14th General Election cost about RM500m.

“..If the government is to have a nationwide election during Covid-19, it would cost RM1.2bil as all standard operating procedures (SOPs) need to be followed.” Takiyuddin added.

The five recent elections cost about RM12.95m in total. Cameron highland by-election cost RM3.5m and Semenyih by-election cost RM1.8m.

Rantau, Sandakan and Tanjung Piai elections cost RM1.83m, RM3.32m and RM2.68m.

The previous Pakatan Harapan administration, He said that the Election Commission would not avail the services of the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) for election petition claims instead EC would just appoint private sector lawyers to represent them in case there was a petition.

Barisan Nasional administration on the otherhand, decided that Attorney General’s Chambers would represent EC in all election petition cases. The current government Perikatan Nasional expressed that ACG has enough expertise to represent the Election Commission should there be petition.