The "undue influence of two Islamic preachers" PAS used to attract votes in Kelantan during the 13th general election campaign is the reason for BN filing election petitions in five seats there.

The five Kelantan seats are the Bachok parliamentary and the Jelawat, Gaal, Mengkebang and Manek Urai state seats.

BN cited banners on statements by popular preachers Azhar Idrus and Zahazan Muhammad that had been put up in Kelantan as its reason for filing the election petitions.

Malay daily Sinar Harian today quoted the BN lawyer, Nor Azli Ahamed, as saying that PAS had used the "undue influence of the two preachers" in its campaign to attract votes.

NONE Among the campaign materials used, Nor Azli said, were banners with pictures of Azhar bearing the statement that it is "haram" to cause the fall of an Islamic government.

Such a statement, he added, violated Section 9 of the Election Offences Act 1954, which relates to making "undue influence" on voters.

The five election petitions were filed by the firm of Tetuan Mohd Ilyas and Co.

BN is also focusing on allegations of attempting to bribe 2,000 households, claiming that the bribe offers had been made by the PAS candidates or their agents.

BN secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the coalition has filed 21 petitions nationwide to have the results of 21 constituencies declared null and void.

Petitions have to be filed within 21 days of the election results being gazetted. The gazetting was done on May 22.

Besides the 21 petitions filed by the BN, Pakatan Rakyat has said it would file 36 petitions, making the 13th general election to have highest number of election petitions ever filed.

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