Public briefing on Sarawak electoral boundary review set for Sept 8 in Kuching
KUCHING, Sept 5 — Rise of Social Efforts (ROSE) will hold a briefing on the Sarawak electoral boundary review this Tuesday (September 8), giving members of the public an opportunity to hear directly from the Election Commission (EC) regarding the process.
ROSE president Geoffrey Tang said the session would feature EC commissioner Mohd Faisal Syam Abdul Hazis, who would be accompanied by EC Sarawak director Abang Noraffian Abang Ibrahim.
The briefing would be held at Pua Kumbu on Level 3 of Lot 10 Boutique Hotel, Jalan Central Timur here, set to commence promptly at 7.30pm to allow sufficient time for the question-and-answer (Q&A) session.
“Electoral boundary review is an important process that has a direct impact on how people are represented in the electoral system,” he said in a statement.
Tang said Sarawakians needed to understand not only where their electoral boundaries were located, but also how the boundaries were determined, why they were being reviewed and what rights they had to agree or object to proposed changes.
He said the session also aimed to raise public awareness that a boundary review was not merely about changing lines on a map.
“It can have implications for the number of voters in a constituency, the shape of electoral constituencies, representation of the people as well as the dynamics of future elections,” he added.
Tang said ROSE believed Sarawakians should have access to accurate and balanced information, particularly while the boundary review process was under way.
“What could be better than Sarawakians themselves hearing the briefing directly from the EC?” he said.
Tang said the session would also explain how members of the public could participate in the process, including what they needed to know if they agreed or disagreed with proposed boundary changes.
“We hope that the briefing would provide an avenue for open dialogue between the EC and Sarawakians, with particular attention given to the Q&A session.
“Participants are encouraged to raise questions concerning electoral boundaries, the objection process and their implications for elections,” he said.
The programme is open to all Sarawakians interested in understanding the implications of the electoral boundary review on the electoral system and democracy in the state.
Admission is free.
