The Election Commission (EC) has set July 6 for nominations and July 14 as the polling day for the Manek Urai state seat by-election in Kelantan.

election commission spr announce manek urai by election dates 280509 02 EC chairperson Abdul Aziz Yusof made the announcement at a press conference at the commission office in Putrajaya today.

The eight days of campaigning period is the same as that was allocated for the Penanti by-election, due on May 31.

The latest election roll, as of May 22, showed that there were 12,293 voters, including 25 postal voters, in Manek Urai.

Of these, 99.22 percent were Malays, Chinese (0.46 percent) and Indians (0.23 percent).

The election roll can be bought by parties from June 15 onwards.

Abdul Aziz also said that Kuala Kerai land officer Adnan Hussein has been appointed returning officer.

On why both the nomination and polling were slated to be held on weekdays (Tuesday), Abdul Aziz said it doesn't matter as past by-elections have been held on weekdays before.

"90 percent of voters are locals, involved in agriculture. Only 10 percent are staying outside the area," he said.

BN will contest in this one

manek urai state seat 220509 The Manek Urai seat became vacant following the death of PAS state assemblyperson Ismail Yaacob on May 23.

Ismail won Manek Urai in the 2008 general election with 1,352 vote-majority over Umno's Zulkepli Omar. He polled 5,746 votes against Zulkepli's 4,394. Voter turnout was 84.23 per cent.

Umno president and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has announced that Barisan Nasional would contest in Manek Urai.

BN did not contest in the Penanti by-election citing frequent by-elections as waste of public resources.

The Menak Urai by-election is the seventh by-election after the March 2008 general election.

Abdul Aziz expressed hope that no elected representatives would pass away in the near future, making it necessary for the EC to conduct more by-elections.

Hoping for a good turnout

The EC chief also said that the turnout during the general election last year was 84 percent and hoped that it would improve this time round.

"I hope this time it would go up by 1 percent and become 85 percent," he said jokingly.

Meanwhile, Abdul Aziz urged all political parties involved in the Manek Urai by-election to follow the election rules, particularly to refrain from campaigning on polling day.

He cited Section 26 of the Election Offences Act 1954 which barred all forms of campaigning on polling day.

He added that the EC would deploy two enforcement teams that will monitor all campaigning activities.

In the past, such teams consisted of police and local government officers, led by EC officers.

Abdul Aziz also announced that polls watchdog Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel) will once again be commissioned to monitor the elections.

"But if they have any suggestions, I hope they come to us (directly) rather than go through the media, unlike in Sarawak (Batang Ai)," he said, referring to the watchdog's decision to release its findings on Batang Ai to the media.

EC on Penanti

Abdul Aziz also touched on the ongoing controversy in Penanti where one of the independent candidates has complained of being offered bribes by PKR to withdraw from contesting.

Aminah Abdullah had revealed that two PKR leaders have made the offer to her. She had since then lodged reports with the police, EC and the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission.

On her complaints, Abdul Aziz said that the EC has no authority to investigate, adding that the matter was being probed by the MACC.

He also said that the situation in Penanti was very calm and peaceful.

"I was told by the police that not many people were turning up for ceramah, except when the bigwigs show up," he said.

Asked if this was a good example for by-elections, Abdul Aziz replied:

"The main party BN is not contesting so we cannot use this as an example."

The Penanti by-election will see a four-cornered fight between PKR's Mansor Othman and three independents, including Aminah who is a former PKR leader.

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