THE Election Commission (EC) is waiting for an official notification from the Sarawak speaker on the vacant Pujut state seat.

EC chairman Azhar Azizan Harun, in a statement today, said the official notification is required under Article 21(5) of the state constitution.

“The EC takes note of the Federal Court’s decision on February 11, 2020, disqualifying Ting Tiong Choon as assemblyman for Pujut.”

The court ruled that the Sarawak assembly was right to disqualify Ting over his dual citizenship.

It overturned a Court of Appeal ruling in a 7-2 majority decision, and cited Article 19 of the state charter and Article 72(1) of the federal constitution, stating that the assembly has final say in such matters.

On the same day, Sarawak Speaker Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar told the press that by virtue of Article 21(5) of the state constitution, there is no need for him to write to the EC to notify it about the vacancy.

“The need for the speaker to write to the EC does not arise, and without such a notification, (there will be) no by-election.” – Bernama, February 13, 2020.