KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 25): The Election Commission (EC) is reviewing campaign spending limits for candidates and is considering whether to include expenses incurred by political parties.

Under the current Election Offences Act 1954, spending limits apply to individual candidates rather than the parties they represent. The maximum allowable spending is capped at RM200,000 for parliamentary candidates, and RM100,000 for state assembly candidates.

“The EC is reviewing the appropriateness of new candidate spending limits and the possibility of including party spending during elections to improve the Act,” said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said in a written parliamentary reply on Wednesday.

Azalina was responding to a query from Pandan Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, who sought clarification from the government on its plans to amend the Act, including updating candidate spending limits and incorporating new campaign practices such as digital outreach.

In line with this, Azalina confirmed that the EC is also studying the costs associated with social media advertising and digital campaigning, to ensure the law reflects the modern political landscape.

However, the minister noted that the EC has yet to finalise any amendments as the consultation process remains ongoing. “Stakeholder consultations will be held to ensure any amendments to the Act are orderly and consider all relevant views,” she added.

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