Malaysian general elections set for May 9

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysian voters will go to the polls on May 9 in the country's general elections, said the Election Commission of Malaysia on Tuesday, days after Prime Minister Najib Razak announced the dissolution of the parliament.

Mohd Hashim bin Abdullah, chairman of Election Commission, at the press conference also announced the nomination date, which falls on April 28. After nomination day, candidates will have 11 days for their campaign.

The polling date, a Wednesday, was decided at a previous special meeting chaired by Hashim. He noted that the date was to avoid a clash with major cultural and religious events. Ramadan, a major festive period for the Muslim-majority country, begins on May 15.

Hashim said military and police forces as well as voters outside Malaysia could begin early voting on May 5.