GEORGE TOWN: The High Court here dismissed an election petition filed by former independent candidate for the Bukit Gelugor by-election, Abu Backer Sidek Mohamad Zan, against Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh Deo.
Judge Lee Swee Seng also ordered Abu Backer to pay RM10,000 each to the three defendants - Ramkarpal, the Bukit Gelugor by-election returning officer and Election Commission.
Abu Backer had filed the petition on June 18 at the Penang High Court.
The controversial lawyer, who gained media attention after he threw himself in front of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s in the run-up to the Bukit Gelugor by-election, is seeking to nullify the election results and call for fresh election.
The by-election was in a four-cornered fight with Ramkarpal, Parti Cinta Malaysia’s Huan Cheng Guan and another independent candidate Mohd Nabi Bux Mohd Sathar.
The Bukit Gelugor parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent Karpal Singh in a road accident in April.
Ramkarpal, who is Karpal’s son, won the seat with a 37,659 vote majority.
Despite low voter turnout, Ramkarpal managed to garner 41,242 votes, with Huan taking 3,583 votes, Mohd Nabi Bux 799 and Abu Backer 225 votes.
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