THE Election Commission (EC) will hold a special meeting next Monday to fix key dates for the Jepak by-election in Sarawak, its secretary Ikmalrudin Ishak said.

He said the EC had received an official notification from Sarawak assembly speaker Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar regarding the vacancy of the N67 Jepak state seat.

According to article 21(5) of the Sarawak constitution, the vacant Jepak state seat must be filled within 60 days from the date it was vacated, he said.

Ikmalrudin said important dates for the Jepak state by-election such as dates for the issuance of the writ of election, the nomination of candidates, polling and the electoral rolls to be used will be discussed in the special meeting.

The Jepak state seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent Talib Zulpilip on September 15.

Talib, 72, died of kidney complications after being admitted to a medical centre on September 14.

The former minister in the Sarawak Chief Minister’s Office (Integrity and Ombudsman) became Jepak assemblyman in 1996 and served the constituency for six terms. – Bernama, September 19, 2023.