Cover image via SAYSYour voting constituency in Malaysia may not always match the city, town, or neighbourhood name you use every day.
This is because election boundaries are different from city boundaries, local council areas, postcodes, and district names.
So, two people may both say they live in Petaling Jaya, but they may not vote in the same parliamentary or DUN seat.
The quick answer
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Why is my constituency different from my city? | Electoral boundaries do not always follow city or council boundaries |
| Does my city decide my voting seat? | No, not directly |
| What decides my constituency? | Your registered voter details and electoral boundary |
| Can two people in the same city vote in different seats? | Yes |
| Can one constituency include different neighbourhoods? | Yes |
| How do I check my actual seat? | Use MySPR Semak |
Is your constituency the same as your city?
Not always. A city is not the same thing as an electoral constituency.
A city is how people usually describe where they live. A constituency is the election area that decides which MP or ADUN you vote for.
That means your address may say Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam, Subang Jaya, Klang or Johor Bahru, but your actual parliamentary or DUN seat may have a different name.
Here's an example if you stay in Petaling Jaya
In GE15, Selangor had separate parliamentary seats such as P105 Petaling Jaya, P106 Damansara, and P104 Subang. Election results and local official listings show these as different parliamentary constituencies, even though many people may casually describe parts of the wider area as Petaling Jaya or PJ.
Someone living in one part of PJ may fall under Petaling Jaya, while someone else in another part of the wider PJ area may fall under Damansara or another nearby seat.
What decides which seat you vote in?
Your seat is decided by your registered voter details and the electoral boundary your address falls under.
You do not choose your seat based on the city name you prefer to use. Election boundaries group voters into parliamentary and DUN constituencies. These boundaries may cut across everyday place names, neighbourhoods, local council areas or postcodes.
That is why two people who live near each other may still vote in different seats.
Why does this happen?
It happens because different boundaries are drawn for different purposes.
Malaysia has many types of location boundaries, including:
- electoral boundaries
- city or town boundaries
- local council areas
- districts
- postcodes
- neighbourhood names
- polling districts
These boundaries do not always overlap neatly. Your city name is useful for everyday directions. Your constituency is what matters for elections.
Why is my DUN seat different from my Parliament seat?
Your DUN seat is usually smaller than your parliamentary seat.
A parliamentary seat elects one MP to the Dewan Rakyat. A DUN seat elects one ADUN to the State Legislative Assembly.
In most states, one parliamentary seat contains several DUN seats. This means voters in the same parliamentary seat may share the same MP but have different ADUNs.
How do I check my correct constituency?
Use MySPR Semak to check your official parliamentary and DUN seat. When available, it can show your parliamentary seat, DUN seat, polling centre, saluran and other polling information.
Your constituency decides which candidates appear on your ballot paper, affecting:
- which MP you vote for
- which ADUN you vote for, if applicable
- which candidates appear on your ballot
- where your vote is counted
- who represents you after the election
Frequently asked questions
Why is my constituency different from my city?
Because electoral boundaries do not always follow city, town, postcode, district or local council boundaries.
Does my city decide my parliamentary seat?
No, not directly. Your parliamentary seat is based on your registered voter details and the electoral boundary your address falls under.
Can two people in Petaling Jaya vote in different seats?
Yes. One person may be in the Petaling Jaya parliamentary seat, while another person in the wider PJ area may fall under a different seat such as Damansara or Subang, depending on their registered address.
Why is my DUN seat different from my Parliament seat?
In most states, one parliamentary seat contains several DUN seats. Your DUN seat is a smaller state-level constituency.
Can my constituency change if I did not move?
Yes, if electoral boundaries are redrawn. It can also change if your official registered address changes.
Can I choose which constituency to vote in?
No. Your constituency is based on your registered voter details.
How do I check my constituency?
Check MySPR Semak before polling day to confirm your parliamentary seat, DUN seat and polling centre.
Related election guides
- How Malaysian Constituencies Work: Parliamentary Seats, DUN Seats, Boundaries, And Why Your Vote Is Counted Where It Is
- What Does Your MP Actually Do?
- What Does Your ADUN Actually Do?
- Why Do Some Constituencies Have More Voters Than Others?
- Why Is My Voting Constituency Different From My City?
Last updated: 1 September 2026
