Socio-economic and political impacts of electoral constituency redistricting in Sarawak

The Election Commission has reviewed the division of Sarawak’s Federal and State Constituencies beginning from 23 February 2015 to 6 March 2015. Consequentially, the Commission has made the following recommendations : (a) no alteration in the number of Federal Constituencies for; (b) the number of State Constituencies for Sarawak is increased by eleven making the new total 82; (c) amendments to the name of the Federal Constituencies of one Federal Constituency; and (d) amendments made to the name of the State Constituencies of four State Constituencies. The re-districting was based on the total number of voters in the Electoral Rolls endorsed by the Election Commission and gazetted on 30 April 2014. In conclusion, the electoral re-districting is expected to alter the socio-economic and political landscapes of Sarawak. With the additional 11 state assembly seats created Sarawak is expected to receive greater development budget allocations which would invigorate further infrastructural development of its rural areas.