PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today announced the dissolution of Parliament effective Saturday, April 7, paving the way for the 14th General Election (GE14).
The announcement was made at 12.13pm and broadcasted live via Najib’s official Facebook account.
It came after Najib’s audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V at Istana Negara earlier.
Najib said that the Agong has consented to the dissolution of Parliament.
Barisan Nasional-controlled states are expected to dissolve their respective state assemblies either today or tomorrow.
The only exception is Sarawak, which held its state election in 2016.
The three opposition-ruled states — Selangor, Kelantan and Penang — are also expected to do the same.
Nominations are expected to be held by April 21 with polling as early as May 5.
This will be Barisan Nasional’s second general election under Najib’s leadership, who took over as prime minister on April 3, 2009.
Article 55(4) of the Federal Constitution stipulates that the general election must be held within 60 days of the dissolution of Parliament.
The Election Commission is expected to announce the dates for nomination and polling by next week.
Dissolution effectively ends the tenure of all members of parliament, leaving the country to be administered by a caretaker government, until the next Parliament is convened.
The last election was held on May 5, 2013. Parliament was dissolved on April 3, and nomination day was on April 20, 2013.
With voting expected to take place in early May, the focus in the coming days and weeks will be on the announcement of the candidates, the unveiling of BN’s election manifesto on Saturday and official campaigning by both sides to win the hearts and minds of the 14,968,304 million registered voters.
A total of 222 parliamentary and 505 state seats are up for contest.