ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the reasons behind classification of elections in Malaysia by examining the following six areas: the election system, election laws and regulations, campaign environment, campaign strategies of major political parties, possible changes in campaign style and possible future changes. There are many laws and regulations that have been enacted to ensure a clean and honest electoral campaign including restrictions on bribery, treating, undue influence and election expenses. Malaysia is unique among the countries in Southeast Asia. Malaysia has held eleven post independence general elections. Malaysia inherited the first-past-the-post (FPTP) single member constituencies (SMC) system from its colonial masters, the British. For historical reasons, general elections in Malaysia occur for all parliament seats in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak and also for the state seats in Peninsular Malaysia. The ethnic composition of the new seats added and its effect on the ethnic composition of existing seats can determine the distribution of electoral power among different ethnic groups in Malaysia.
