Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-election: 22 candidate nomination forms sold, says EC

PETALING JAYA: As many as 22 candidate nomination forms have been sold for the Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections in Johor as of Tuesday (Aug 22), Bernama reported.

The Johor Elections Office said all the forms were bought by Amanah, Perikatan Nasional and independent candidates.

"For the Simpang Jeram state election, three sets of candidate nomination forms were bought by Amanah, two by PAS, five by PN and two by independent candidates," it said in a statement on Wednesday (Aug 23).

Separately, Election Commission (EC) secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak said the candidate nomination form had to be handed to the returning officer (RO) on Nomination Day this Saturday (Aug 26) between 9am to 10am at the nomination centre.

He said the nomination centre for the Pulai parliamentary seat is at Dewan Jubli Intan Sultan Ibrahim, Johor Baru while the nomination centre for the Simpang Jeram state seat is at Dewan Jubli Intan Sultan Ibrahim, Muar.

"The EC urges all candidates to fill up their forms and do an early check at the RO's office or the Johor Elections Office before Nomination Day," he said.

Potential candidates are encouraged to pay their deposit early as the payment receipt has to be given during Nomination Day as proof of payment.

Ikmalrudin reminded candidates who represent a political party to bring an approval letter showing they are qualified to use the party's symbols.

"Each candidate can only be accompanied by one proposer and one seconder as they enter the nomination centre," he said.

"Any political campaigning via the use of musical instruments, microphone or a vehicle is prohibited on Nomination Day as it is an offence under the Election Offences Act 1954.

"All public personnel and supporters accompanying the candidates are prohibited from entering within 50 metres of the nomination centre borders," he added.

Ikmalrudin urged all candidates and politicians to always follow the laws, rules and commands given by the EC, the police and local authorities to ensure the nomination process runs smoothly without hassle.

The Pulai parliamentary seat and Simpang Jeram state seat in Johor were vacated following the death of their incumbent Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub on July 23.

The EC had set Nomination Day for both by-elections on Aug 26, early voting on Sept 5 and Polling Day on Sept 9.