In a statement, EC secretary Khairul Shahril Idrus said the commission received official notifications of the unexpected vacancies from Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul yesterday and Sabah state assembly Speaker Kadzim Yahya today.

He said the notifications were issued in line with Article 54(1) of the Federal Constitution and Article 21(5) of the Sabah state constitution, which require the seats to be filled within 60 days from the date the vacancies are confirmed.

The Dec 16 meeting, to be chaired by EC chairman Ramlan Harun, will finalise important dates such as the issuance of the election writ, nomination day, and polling day. It will also decide on the electoral roll to be used and logistical preparations needed for both by-elections.

A press conference will be held immediately after the meeting.

Bung, who held both the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat and the Lamag state seat, died last Friday.

The six-term Kinabatangan MP was chairman of the Sabah chapters of Umno and Barisan Nasional.