| Legal Framework |
|---|
| Electoral Law | 28 August 1958 Last amendment: 29/10/2003 |
| Mode of designation | indirectly elected 26 appointed 44 |
| Constituencies | 13 multi-members constituencies, corresponding to the country's States. |
| Voting system | : Indirect voting. Each of the 13 State Legislative Assemblies elects 2 Senators. Vacancies arising between general elections are filled through by-elections or appointment within 60 days. |
| Voter requirements | - membership of State Legislative Assembly |
| Candidates |
|---|
| Eligibility | Qualified electors - age: 30 years - Malaysian citizenship - residence in the country - ineligibility: allegiance to a foreign State, imprisonment for at least one year or fine of at least M$ 2,000 |
| Incompatibilities | - Holders of an "office of profit" (i.e., a full-time office in any of the public services), such as: - judge of the Federal Court or a High Court - Auditor-General - member of the Election Commission |
| Candidacy requirements | - For members who are elected by the State Legislative Assembly, candidates are nominated after being proposed and seconded by members of the Assembly". - For members who are appointed, candidates are usually proposed by the Prime Minister to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (The King). The members to be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong should be persons who, in his opinion, have rendered distinguished public service; have achieved distinction in the professions, commerce, industry, agriculture, cultural activities or social service; are representative of racial minorities; or are capable of representing the interests of aboriginal peoples. |