PETALING JAYA: The Selangor State government is optimistic about conducting direct elections for village chiefs in Pulau Ketam, Pandamaran New Village and Jenjarom in March.
Selangor State executive councelor for new village development and illegal factory settlement Ean Yong Hian Wah told The Malay Mail details of the elections were being finalised as some of the drafted regulations needed to be reviewed.
"This will be the first local elections in Selangor. We hope it will be a precursor to local government elections," he said, adding that the Selangor government had given its approval.
While he was not sure how the local council elections would be conducted, the Seri Kembangan State assemblyman told The Paper That Cares the direct elections for village chiefs would use the Election Commission's (EC) electoral roll and the process was expected to be similar to State and Federal elections.
Voters will comprise residents of the villages, based on electoral roll and their addresses.
Ean said the newly selected village chiefs secure authority to select his own committee for the village.
After gaining control of the Selangor government in 2008, the Pakatan Rakyat coalition promised to re-establish local government elections abolished over 40 years ago.
Feeling upbeat about the venture, Ean said: "This will allow the rakyat to decide who they see fit to be their leaders. This is a matter of returning the power of choice to them."
Still, as it would be the first time a village election would be conducted in the State, Ean did not dismiss challenges that would rise during its implementation.
"We need to form our own machinery and committee to ensure they are conducted smoothly."
He assured the Selangor government would oversee the process to maintain transparency.
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