Dual referendum

The Election Commission announced today the by-elections for Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat in Perak and Bukit Selambau state seat in Kedah will be held simultaneously on April 7, 2009. Nominations will be held on March 29, 2009.

Even though the Election Commision had earlier dismissed suggestions that the nomination and election dates were fixed to accommodate Umno general assembly on 24 - 28 March, the setting of the polling day is quite close to the end 60 days period allowable for a by-election to be held whenever a seat fell vacant. The commission was informed officially of the seats vacancy on Feb 10.

For the Kuala Terengganu by-election, the seat fell vacant on Nov 28, 2008 when the MP died of heart attack. The commission met on Dec 5 and set nomination on Jan 6, 2009 and polling on Jan 17, 2009. In the Permatang Pauh by-election, when Wan Azizah resigns on July 31, 2008 the commission was duly informed by the parliament speaker on Aug 1 on the seat being vacant. The commission Aug 6 meeting decides on Aug 16 for nomination and Aug 26 for voters to cast their votes. All within 27 days.

The commission can easily set the polling day within the school holidays from March 14 - 22, 2009 since schools will be used for pollings and teachers are usually utililised to man polling stations. The commission considerations for the Umno general assembly in fixing the dates are too obvious to be ignored.

Whether Najib likes it or not, these by-elections will be taken as referendum on the two matters. Firstly on the questionable BN takeover of the Perak state government and secondly on Najib's appointment as the prime minister which is expected to take place on April Fool day!

As all of us knows by now, politics includes the art of political and media spinning. If BN wins, it will be credited to Najib but if they loses both seats, Najib can just blame it to his newly minted deputy prime minister, whoever that might be! It is usual for the deputy prime minister to take charge of by-elections as Najib did for Kuala Terengganu and Permatang Pauh by-elections.

The biggest winners for sure will be the people of Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau. Rest assured they will be experiencing windfalls or durian runtuh which they cannot even dare to imagine!

How I wish I am a voter within either one of the constituencies. - Loka