KOTA KINABALU: The Election Commission (EC) should explain why the Bugaya state by-election is not being held despite being vacant for over 18 months.

A local NGO, Development of Economic Affairs and Leadership Skills Sabah (DEALS) president Datuk Kalakau Untol said so many other elections had been held but the by-election for Bugaya state seat in Semporna had yet to be conducted.

The seat was left vacant after the death of its Parti Warisan incumbent Datin Manis Muka Mohd Dara on Nov 17, 2020 - hardly two months after the snap Sabah state elections was held on Sept 20, 2020.

"Why is it that after eighteen months of the Bugaya state assembly seat being declared vacant, the Election Commission has still failed to conduct a by-election?

"This is a denial of the Bugaya people’s right to obtain the services of a state assemblyman and development and other facilities enjoyed by other constituencies," said Kalakau, who is Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) election director.

Kalakau said the Covid-19 pandemic should no longer be a valid reason as efforts must be taken to hold a by-election.

"We have seen the Election Commission conduct the Melaka, Sarawak and Johor state elections," he said, adding that there were still 40 months left for the term of the current state assembly which expires in September 2025.

Following Manis Muka's death, Covid-19 lockdowns and later localised emergency orders were put in place in the Bugaya seat.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/05/18/ec-urged-to-explain-delay-behind-bugaya-by-election-despite-18-month-vacancy