PETALING JAYA: The Election Commission spent a total of RM141 million–RM45 million on Melaka state election and RM96 million on Johor, said Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, minister in the prime minister’s department in charge of parliamentary and legal affairs.

In a written reply to Sarikei member of parliament Wong Lin Biu, the minister said the expenses included purchase and leasing of election equipment, transportation, logistic solutions, allowances for returning officers and others.

“The expenses also took into consideration equipment required to comply with the standard operating procedures to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

The expenditure on the recent Melaka polls was more than the precious election by RM32 million, while the Johor election would likely spend RM61 million more than the previous state election.

Wan Junaidi also replied to Fuziah Salleh, member of parliament for Kuantan in a written reply that RM149 million was spent on the recent Sarawak election and RM130million on Sabah election.