KOTA KINABALU: A viral photo of a letter notifying a school in Penampang near here that it has been selected as a polling centre for the 15th General Election (GE15) has fuelled speculation that the polls are just around the corner.

       The photo has been making the rounds on WhatsApp over the last few days.

       In the letter dated May 27, Penampang district officer Francis Chong notified the SK Luyang headmaster that the school had been picked as one of the voting centres for the Penampang parliamentary constituency which also includes the Kapayan state seat.

       When contacted, Chong confirmed issuing the letter to the primary school but explained that it was just part of the preparations ahead of an election.

       “The Election Commission (EC) instructed us to notify schools picked as voting centres to be ready but it doesn’t mean the election will be held soon,” he said on Thursday (June 9).

       “It (general election) can be held this or next year but we still have to be prepared. I don’t know why people still wanted to make that photo viral as it’s a usual preparation when polls are near,” he said.

       Chong said early preparations were needed so everything will be in order, adding that this includes

       This included getting enough workers for the election, he added.

       “For instance, Penampang alone needs some 1,450 election workers. Even SK Luyang needs 40,” he said, adding that similar letters had been issued to almost all schools in the district.

       Speculation has been rife that GE15 could be held soon even though Parliament's current term only ends in May next year.

       Sabah has a total of 25 parliamentary constituencies.