KOTA KINABALU: A bill to increase the number of seats in Sabah will be tabled at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here later today.
Copies of the proposed bill are being distributed to all elected representatives, observers and the media attending the sitting here.
It will likely be proposed at 11am after the question and answer session.
The bill will seek to amend Section 2 of the Legislative Assembly (Elected Members) Enactment 1965 by substituting the word "sixty" with the words "seventy three".
Last week, Deputy Speaker Datuk Johnny Mositub had revealed that the bill will be tabled to increase the number of state seats to 73, but noted he was not able to reveal where the areas will be.
Sabah Election Commission director Datuk Md Idrus Ismail had said that despite much speculation, nothing has been discussed yet.
"We have to wait until the motion is passed at the state assembly and the government gives us the exact figure to work on. Just the number of seats as they cannot propose the areas, which is up to us.
"Once finalised, they will let us know officially and we will come up with new mapping and prepare a report - this will be conducted at headquarters level," he had explained.
"It is our jurisdiction as to when we want to announce the proposed new seats, where the list will be exhibited for a month at all 60 constituencies for the public to deliberate, give their views or make objections if they want."