KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) are still in the midst of discussing seat distributions for the six state elections expected to take place in the middle of this year.
PKR deputy election commission director G. Manivannan said the matter has yet to be concluded pending a discussion among top leaders from both coalitions.
He added that PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli is representing the party in seat negotiation discussions, and he will brief the party's election commission on any development.
"The last we got to know was that discussions are taking place, but nothing has been finalised. There will be further meetings soon. After discussions with PH and BN, whatever necessary will be briefed to us (commission) and this should take place by the first or second week of May.
"Things are moving smoothly because we do not hear any negative comments about it. I think it (discussions) are more accommodative and understanding because of the present situation, so the chances of us working together are higher," the PKR central leadership member told the New Straits Times today.
State elections in Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu are expected to take place when their respective assemblies are dissolved within the last two weeks of June.
In February, the chief ministers and menteri besar of these states had agreed to this, following an understanding reached during an informal round table meeting.
Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said the decision would be discussed at the respective party-level. He also said that the respective state leaders would then seek the consent of their sultans and governor to dissolve the state assemblies.
Meanwhile, Manivannan said it was very important to focus on seat distributions and finalise them before PH and BN could deliberate on matters such as the logo to be used by candidates and their manifesto.
He added that there have been questions on whether the two coalitions would use a single or separate manifesto; as well as which party logo would be used.
"I think all of that is premature (to say now) because we have to decide on seat negotiations first. Once that is successful, I think the rest will fall into place.
"I believe each state will have their own committee on what to do and what not to do. These guidelines will be out soon, and will be implemented across the board so each state will know their parameters."
On April 8, PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said PH and BN have agreed that parties that won seats during the 15th General Election will defend them in the state elections.
He said the consensus was agreed upon during preliminary discussions.
The PH central leadership, he added, would resolve matters if demands for extra seats could not be agreed upon at the state-level discussions.