Kuala Lumpur, 20 Nov (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's Election Commission said on 20 November that no single political party or coalition of political parties won a simple majority in the lower house of parliament in the 15th general election held on 19 November.
According to the Malaysian National News Agency, Abdul Ghani Saleh, chairman of the election commission, said on the 20th that 219 of the 222 seats in the lower house have announced the results of the vote count. Of the major political party coalitions, Pakatan Harapan won 82 seats, the National Alliance 73 seats, the National Front 30 seats and the Sarawak Political Parties Alliance 22 seats.
Pakatan Harapan leader Anwar Anwar (front) attends a press conference in Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia, November 20. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Zhang Wen)
In addition, if a candidate for a Kedah seat dies during the election period, the seat will be postponed; Sarawak and Sabah each have one seat and the announcement of the results will be delayed due to weather conditions.
The Malaysian Parliament is the highest legislative body of the country and consists of the upper and lower houses. The House of Commons has 222 seats, each elected for a five-year term and elected by general elections. The House of Lords has 70 seats, two members elected by each of the country's 13 state legislatures, and the remaining 44 members are appointed by the head of state on the recommendation of the prime minister for a three-year term and can be re-elected for two consecutive terms. A party or coalition of parties that normally obtains a majority in the House of Commons may form a cabinet.
National Front candidate Ismail displays his ballot papers at a polling station in Beira, Pahang, Malaysia, on November 19. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhu Wei
Given that no party or coalition of parties won a simple majority in Malaysia's general election, the next formation of the government will depend on the outcome of negotiations between the coalition.
Malaysia's last general election was held in 2018, and its 14th parliament will serve until 2023. The Prime Minister has the power to seek the dissolution of Parliament at any time before the end of his term. On October 10 this year, Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail said in a televised speech that the head of state of state Abdullah had acceded to his request to approve the dissolution of parliament and prepare for a new general election.
Pakatan Harapan leader Anwar displays his ballot at a polling station in Penang, Malaysia, on November 19. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Zhang Wen)
National Front candidate Ismail votes at a polling station in Beira, Pahang, Malaysia, on 19 November. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhu Wei
Pakatan Harapan leader Anwar shows his finger after voting at a polling station in the Malaysian state of Penang on November 19. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Zhang Wen)