ALOR STAR: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has hinted that Barisan Nasional may field a direct candidate in the Kemaman parliamentary by-election.
The Barisan chairman said the coalition used same method in previous elections where candidates were chosen without regard to the hierarchy of positions within the party, and this move was well received.
"We will likely use the same method in Kemaman," he said briefly after officiating the Kedah Umno political bureau retreat on Saturday (Nov 11).
The Barisan candidate for the by-election is expected to be announced this Monday (Nov 12) in Kuala Lumpur.
The by-election is being called following the Terengganu Election Court's ruling on Sept 26, which nullified the victory of Che Alias Hamid from Perikatan Nasional in GE15 after the petitioner successfully proved the existence of elements of corruption during the campaign period.
The Election Commission has set polling day on Dec 2 and nomination day on Nov 18 while early voting is on Nov 28.
Ahmad Zahid said it was not important to win or at least reduce the vote majority of political opponents in the by-election.
In the meantime, Ahmad Zahid said he was committed to realising the resolutions reached at the retreat which was attended by committee members from the Kedah Umno political bureau.
"We have some 36 months to prepare for GE16. Although it may be a bit early, we must take actions and unify the leadership's thinking at state, division and branch levels.
"This step, will be followed by other states and some methods for the organisational structure at the election machinery level will also be revamped. We will start this in the Kemaman by-election," he said. – Bernama
