PETALING JAYA: The Padang Serai election can continue on Saturday (Nov 19) without a new date having to be set, said Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The Barisan Nasional democracy and law task force head cited Regulation 11 (6) of the Election (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981, which stated that the Election Commission (EC) can only appoint a fresh date before the polls have commenced, whether by early voting or by election day itself.
She pointed out that early voting had already commenced on Nov 7 and Nov 15 for the police and the armed forces as well as their spouses.
"This has rendered the call for postponement of the general elections for Padang Serai improbable.
"The commencement of early voting also makes it impossible for a new candidate to be nominated at Padang Serai as the early votes have already been cast and cannot be recalled," Azalina said in a statement on Thursday (Nov 17).
ALSO READ: Padang Serai polls likely on hold
Azalina, who is defending the Pengerang seat in the 15th General Election (GE15), added that there is also no legal provision for the nomination of new candidates after polling has begun.
"Therefore, a poll can be taken for Padang Serai on Nov 19 according to the Election (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981," she said.
Azalina also paid tribute to the former Pakatan Harapan candidate for the Padang Serai seat, the late M. Karupaiya, who died of a heart attack on Wednesday (Nov 16).
"He was an outstanding parliamentarian and a good friend to many on both sides of the aisle. My condolences to his family. He will be truly missed," she said.
Karupaiya, 70, won the seat in the 14th General Election (GE14) after defeating MCA's Leong Yong Kong and PAS' Muhammad Sobri Osman with a majority 8,813 of votes.
The EC will hold a special meeting on Friday (Nov 18) to discuss the setting of important dates for the Padang Serai election.
