Cover image via SAYSSome constituencies in Malaysia have more voters than others because electoral boundaries are not drawn only by population size.
Under Malaysia's electoral system, every parliamentary constituency elects one MP, and every state constituency elects one ADUN. However, the number of voters in each constituency is not always equal.
This means one MP may represent far more voters than another MP, even though both MPs have one seat in Parliament.
Why are some constituencies bigger than others?
Some constituencies are bigger because boundaries take into account more than just voter numbers.
The Federal Constitution says the number of electors within each constituency in a state ought to be approximately equal. However, it also allows weightage for rural constituencies because some areas may be harder to reach or have other disadvantages.
In simple terms, a rural constituency may have fewer voters because it covers a large area, has scattered communities, or is harder to serve. However, this is also why constituency size can become controversial. If the difference between seats becomes too large, people may argue that voters are not being represented equally.
What is malapportionment?
Malapportionment happens when constituencies have very unequal numbers of voters.
For example, imagine two parliamentary seats:
| Constituency | Number of voters | Representative elected |
|---|---|---|
| Seat A | 40,000 voters | 1 MP |
| Seat B | 160,000 voters | 1 MP |
Both seats elect one MP. But voters in Seat B are sharing one representative among far more people.
That is the basic idea behind malapportionment. It is not just about one place being bigger on a map. It is about how many voters are represented by each seat.
Why does malapportionment matter?
Malapportionment matters because each constituency still counts as one seat.
In Malaysia, the candidate with the most votes in each constituency wins that seat. The number of seats won by parties and coalitions then helps determine who can form the government. If some seats have far fewer voters than others, a party can win more seats without necessarily winning the same share of voters overall.
This is why people often discuss malapportionment together with the idea of "one person, one vote, one value". The concern is that votes in smaller constituencies may carry more weight than votes in larger constituencies.
Is malapportionment the same as gerrymandering?
No. Malapportionment and gerrymandering are related to boundaries, but they are not the same thing.
Malapportionment is about unequal voter numbers between constituencies. Gerrymandering is about how boundaries are drawn in a way that may favour one political side or weaken another.
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Malapportionment | Seats have very different numbers of voters |
| Gerrymandering | Boundaries are drawn in a way that may favour one side |
A constituency map can be controversial because of malapportionment, gerrymandering, or both.
Why do urban seats often have more voters?
Urban seats often grow faster because people move, cities expand and voter numbers increase.
When more people move into urban and suburban areas, the number of voters in those seats can rise quickly. If constituency boundaries are not redrawn often enough, fast-growing areas may end up with many more voters than older or slower-growing areas.
Automatic voter registration and Undi18 also added more young voters to the electoral roll, which can make voter-size differences between constituencies more visible.
Can constituency boundaries be changed?
Yes, constituency boundaries can be changed through a redelineation process.
Redelineation is the process of reviewing and redrawing electoral boundaries. In Malaysia, the Election Commission reviews electoral boundaries under the Federal Constitution and makes recommendations.
However, boundaries do not change automatically every time an area grows. The process has its own rules, timelines, objections and approvals. This is why voter numbers can become uneven over time.
Can malapportionment be fixed before the next election?
Not easily. Any major change to constituency boundaries has to go through the formal redelineation process.
Malapportionment is tied to how constituencies are drawn, so it cannot be fixed overnight once an election is near.
If new boundaries are not completed and approved before Parliament or a state assembly is dissolved, the next election will still use the existing boundaries.
Adding more parliamentary seats is even more difficult because the number of Dewan Rakyat seats is set by the Federal Constitution. This means new seats would require a constitutional amendment, not just an administrative decision.
So, while boundary reform can be discussed before the next election, voters should not assume malapportionment will be fixed in time for that election.
Frequently asked questions
Why do some MPs represent more voters than others?
Because parliamentary constituencies do not always have the same number of voters. Each constituency elects one MP, even if voter numbers differ.
Does every constituency elect one MP?
Every parliamentary constituency elects one MP. State constituencies elect one ADUN.
Is a bigger constituency always unfair?
Not necessarily. A rural constituency may cover a large area and have fewer voters because it is harder to reach. The debate is whether the difference is reasonable.
What does malapportionment mean in simple terms?
Malapportionment means constituencies have very unequal voter numbers even though each constituency elects one representative.
What is the difference between malapportionment and gerrymandering?
Malapportionment is about unequal voter numbers. Gerrymandering is about drawing boundaries in a way that may favour one political side.
Can my vote carry less weight in a bigger constituency?
In practical terms, voters in larger constituencies share one representative with more people. That is why critics say votes in very large seats may have less representation value than votes in smaller seats.
Who redraws constituency boundaries in Malaysia?
The Election Commission reviews electoral boundaries and makes recommendations through the redelineation process.
Can boundaries change without me moving?
Yes. If a redelineation exercise changes the boundary around your area, your constituency may change even if your address stays the same.
Will unequal constituencies be fixed before the next election?
Not necessarily. Boundary changes must go through the formal redelineation process and be completed before an election uses the new boundaries.
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
