Permatang Pasir by-election set for Aug 25

Nomination and polling days for Permatang Pasir fixed

PUTRAJAYA: Polling for the Permatang Pasir by-election has been set for Aug 25 while nominations will be on Aug 17.

Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said barring any technical problems, results of the by-election would be announced by 8pm as the by-election was to be held during the fasting month.

“We will announce the results even if the winner or his agent is not there as their presence is not required by the law,” he told a press conference yesterday.

He said the dates chosen were the most suitable to prevent both the nomination and polling days taking place during the fasting month.

This is not the first time an election is held during fasting month. The Lunas by-election held on Nov 29, 2000 and the Sabah state election in 1994 were also held in the month of Ramadan.

The Permatang Pasir constituency has 20,290 voters, including one postal voter, comprising of Malay (72.36%), Chinese (25.85%), Indian (1.63%) and others (0.16%).

This will be the eighth by-election since last year’s general election. The seat fell vacant following the death of its assemblyman Mohd Hamdan Abdul Rahman of PAS on July 31.

Aziz also announced that the commission would fully enforce the regulation prohibiting political parties from setting up booths to assist voters and canvassing for votes on polling day.

“The election laws are clear on this but we have given concession to political parties during Penanti and Manek Urai by-elections because they had promised not to canvas for votes on polling days.

“While they had kept their word in Penanti, the rule was ignored in Manek Urai, causing terrible traffic jam which caused difficulties to thousands of people,” he said.

He also advised outsiders against travelling to Permatang Pasir on polling day to prevent the repeat of Manek Urai experience.

“When the crowd is large, there is bound to be untoward incidents as some supporters will start hurling abuses and say nasty things to their opponents and this will trigger fights and quarrels.

On suggestion that EC should require election candidates to declare their health status, Aziz said this was not for the commission to decide but for political parties to consider.

The commission has set aside a budget of RM550,000 to run the Permatang Pasir by-election comprising 423 personnel, eight polling centres and 38 polling streams.