Part IV

APPRECIATION

The Sabah State Legislative Assembly election had been brought to a successful conclusion. Its smooth and satisfactory conduct was considerably helped by the co-operation extended to the Commission and its office in Sabah by the Public Service, political parties and members of the public. The actual work connected with its conduct was shouldered by the Public Service which carried out every task called upon in the spirit of service to the country. In this connexion special mention must be made of the services rendered by-

(1) The State Administration ---for prompt assistance in was void.circulating requests to various departments for assistance to the Commission and its Sabah Office. The Residents rendered invaluable services in co-ordinating the efforts of the District Officers and Assistant District Officers in the Residencies.

(2) The Registering, Returning and Assistant Returning Officers-namely the District Officers, Assistant District Officers and other senior officers of the Sabah Public Service.

These officers were areatly assisted by large teams of public servants and non-public servants in the task of registering electors and the actual conduct of the poll and the count.

(3) The Legal Deparittient----The Commissioner for Law Revision, States of Malaya, was responsible for the drafting and extension of the various electoral laws. The State Attorney-General rendered legal advice locally.

(4) The Police---The Commissioner of Police and the Police Force carried out all police functions efficiently. The tensions in this election were great. The fact that there was peace and quiet generally in the whole operation is a credit to the Police Force. Assistance was rendered by the Police in the polling and counting processes, in trans porting polling teams in police launches and in relaying nomination and counting results.

(5) The Survey Department, States of Malaya, and the Lands and Surveys Departmenty Sabali----The Surveyor- General, States of Malaya and the Director of Lands and Surveys, Sabah rendered valuable advice on topography in the delimitation of constituencies. The Lands and Surveys Department. Sabah prepared draft delimitation maps and the printing of these maps was undertaken by the Survey Department, States of Malaya. The Lands and Surveys Departman, Sabah also prosuced polling district maps.

(6) Statistics Department, States of Malaya----The Acting Chief Statistician, States of Malaya gave invaluable advice on the distribution of the population in the State of Sabah in connection with the delirnitation of constituencies.

(7) Government Printing Department, States of Malaya, and Government Printing Department, Sabah---The former supplied paper for ballot paper and was responsible for printing the numerous electoral laws and regulations. Extremely good co-operation was shown by the latter in the rush work of printing and despatching forms, regulations ballot papers.

(8) Information Department, Sabah ---- This Department palyed an importent role in the election. Extensive publicity was given by this Department on the regisration exercise and on the poll. The fantastic turn-out of voters was in no small measure due to the great efforts made by this Department in instructing the voters on how and why they should go to the poll.

(9) Radio Sabah --- This Department gave wide publicity on the registration exercise, nomination and polling. Results of nomination and polling were broadcast through the radio.

(10) Public Works Department, Sabah ----This Department assisted in the construction and despatch of ballot boxes and polling booths.

(11) Posts and Telecommunications Department, Sabah for installing temporary telephones and extensions.

(12) Education Department, Sabah ----This Department loaned school buildings for use as polling stations. School holidays were arranged by this Department to coincide with the polling dates so that school teachers could serve as polling officials.

(13) Marine Department, Sabah for loans of launches for transporting polling teams.

(14) Numerous public organizations, estates and timber camps ---- which rendered invaluable service by providing accommodation for pollinag teams and polling stations.

The Election Commission wish also to record their deep appreciation to all other government departments, associations and individuals not specifically mentioned above for their co-operation and assistance that have contributed in no small measure to the success of the election, however small the contribution may be.