Malaccans found an election thrust upon them, almost two years earlier than expected, after their state government collapsed following the defection of four assemblypersons from the state's ruling coalition.

The election is now a matter of when - within 60 days from the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly on Oct 5, as set out by the State Constitution, or a federally-imposed emergency, with the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, to postpone the election beyond the 60-day deadline.

A straw poll found many in the state have...