Gerakan has urged the Election Commission to propose a review of the Election Act, especially the law covering by-elections which cause money, energy and time.

Gerakan vice-president Dato Mah Siew Keong said too many by-elections, especially within a short period of three years since the last general elections in 2008, would exhaust the nation’s coffers, not to mention the money and energy spent by political parties and individuals.

“If a by-election has to be called due to exigency because an elected representative passed away, then it has to be called. But when there are doubts that a by-election is purposely being forced, then it should not be allowed,” said Mah in a statement.

Mah said the outcome of a general election should be accepted by the people and the duly-elected government should be allowed to administer.

Mah said till today a total of 15 by-elections had been held since March 2008. The first by-election was for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency on Aug 26, 2008, barely five months after the 2008 General Elections.

“During the past three years, there appeared to be attempts by some quarters who used loopholes in the Election Act to force by-elections to test their popularity. We are dismayed with such attempts as too much money, energy and time had been wasted,” he added.

On Sunday, the Pakatan Rakyat government in Selangor hurriedly declared the Port Klang state seat vacant, prompting an impending by-election there.