The Election Commission (EC) has urged all parties to respect the feelings of the family members of the late Wan Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, during the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary by-election campaign next month.

Its secretary Abdul Ghani Salleh said this was because the seat fell vacant due to a tragedy that claimed the former MP's life.

"We need to remember that the vacancy is due to an incident (helicopter crash), it's not a normal situation... we must take heed, and respect his family, and respect the people of Kuala Kangsar," he told reporters after attending a coordination meeting with the heads of departments in conjunction with the by-election at the Kuala Kangsar district and land office, today.

The Kuala Kangsar by-election is being held on June 18 following the death of Wan Mohammad Khair-il in a helicopter crash in Sebuyau, Sarawak, on May 5.

Abdul Ghani hoped political parties contesting in the by-election respect the month of Ramadan by campaigning responsibly and in solidarity, so that the campaigning and voting process would be among the best carried out in the country.

Abdul Ghani also urged supporters of political parties that will be contesting in the Kuala Kangsar by-election to avoid all forms of provocation, slander, or sensitivities of others during the election campaign.

"All supporters of political parties should adhere to and practise campaigning ethics until June 18, to ensure a clean and smooth election," he said.

Wan Mohammad Kair-il Anuar's widow, Mastura Mohd Yazid, was named the BN candidate for the Kuala Kangsar seat while PAS announced Perak PAS Dewan Muslimat chief Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad as its candidate.

Parti Amanah is expected to announce its candidate on Thursday.

- Bernama