He said this is based on informal talks with the Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership, who are also keen on completing the full five-year term, which ends in May.

“We are taking into consideration the Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Haji holidays, the SPM exams, and other factors before deciding,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Perai today.

“The next window would be May or June but at this moment, nothing has been formally discussed.”

On reports that the PAS-controlled states were eager to call for polls soon, Chow said it was up to the party.

The Penang state assembly will end its term on Aug 2 next year, and an election must be held within two months after that, as per the state constitution.

Chow previously said Penang was open to holding its state election concurrently with the other states.

Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, which are controlled by PH, and Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, governed by PAS, decided not to hold their state elections simultaneously with the general election on Nov 19.

Former Election Commission deputy chairman Wan Ahmad Wan Omar has suggested that they now hold their elections concurrently in July, adding that Muslims would have returned home from their pilgrimage and this would ensure greater voter turnout.

He advised the states against holding separate elections as the expenditure could exceed RM500 million.