While the outcome of the state elections could lift or dampen the morale of either side, it should not have any direct bearing on the federal government.

The much watched nomination for the six state elections was completed smoothly last Saturday, officially kicking off the two-week election war.

A total of nine political coalitions or parties have fielded 530 candidates, along with another 41 independents, to vie for the 245 state assembly seats up for grabs.

Well, everything looked peaceful and nice on the nomination day. It is hoped that during the next fortnight of campaigning, candidates and their campaigners will compete with mature political culture and refrain from raising 3R and other sensitive issues in order to fish the valued votes from the people.

Having practiced parliamentary democracy for decades, elections in Malaysia have become increasingly civilized. As such, contesting candidates must be pitted against their rivals with policies and track records, not dirty tricks and hateful remarks designed to fan public emotion with the motive of taking down the opponents.

We cannot deny that such tricks very often pay handsomely and will almost guarantee the candidates the much coveted votes. Nevertheless, the same will also undercut the society’s harmony and is highly destructive to the nation.

People going into politics because they want to become government. Politicians are invariably going after power and it is understandable that candidates will do their utmost to fight for the votes.

That said, all contestants must adhere to the rules of the game, and win their battles in a civilized manner.

In conjunction with the six state elections, Center for Independent Journalism (CIJ) is working with three institutions of higher learning in the country, namely University of Nottingham Malaysia, University Malaysia Sabah and Universiti Sains Malaysia, to monitor hate speeches made during the campaign period.

In the meantime, the MACC has also set up operations rooms at its Putrajaya headquarters and the six states to monitor state polls to curtail inappropriate campaigning conducts.

With all these in place, it is hoped that candidates and political leaders will lead by example throughout the campaign period in promoting the healthy development of democratic culture of this country.

Even though there are so many political coalitions and parties entering the fray, the limelight is on the face-off between Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional, with the minor parties not expected to affect the big picture in a significant way.

Before the state assemblies were dissolved, PN was helming the states of Terengganu, Kelantan and Kedah, while PH was in charge in Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

The “green wave” that emerged and swept across much of the peninsula last year has remarkably lifted the morale of PN. They are not only upbeat about retaining their existing three states, but are also setting their sights on the other three states under PH.

Penang is a stronghold for PH. Even if the coalition may lose a couple of seats, they should still be in charge, which PN is well aware of.

As for Negeri Sembilan, after last year’s general election, all the state seats have since been held by Umno and PH, not a single seat for PN. Even if PN manages to wrestle one or two seats, to topple the PH-BN administration is hardly possible.

As such, the focus for the upcoming election war is on Selangor.

PN has over and again claimed that it can capture the state from the hands of PH-BN. State PN chairman Azmin Ali vowed that if 90% of Malays were to come out to vote on August 12, his coalition would have a clean sweep of all the 56 seats.

Indeed there is a chance for PN to capture the country’s economically most prosperous state, but right now the unity government still has the upper hand, and unless some dramatic changes are taking place in the voting trends, it is not easy for PN to win Selangor.

Generally speaking, in the coming six state elections, PH-Umno are on the defensive. As long as they are able to hold on to the three state administrations, their mission is considered accomplished.

Meanwhile, PN is eyeing to seize more seats in Penang and Negeri Sembilan, and take over Selangor.

Eventually, it is the voters that will decide who should win this war.

Notably, PN has attempted to portray the state elections as a referendum for the unity government.

As a matter of fact, it is inappropriate to tie the state elections to the federal administration, as the state elections entail the state administrations and have nothing to do at all with the federal government.

While the outcome of the state elections could lift or dampen the morale of either side, it should not have any direct bearing on the federal government.

When casting their ballots in the elections, the voters must be absolutely clear that they are choosing their state representatives (or state governments) and should make up their decisions wisely and rationally upon such a basis, and not be confused by any other factors.