Pendang, Anak Bukit candidates file nomination papers
Supporters from both sides of the political divide braved the heavy downpour this morning to accompany their candidates for Kedah's Pendang and Anak Bukit by-elections to their respective nomination centres.
Barisan Nasional's Othman Abdul and PAS' Dr Mohamad Hayati Othman, who are contesting for the Pendang parliamentary seat, filed their nomination papers at SMK Pendang at about 10am.
No objections were raised regarding the candidates during the stipulated period from 11am to 12.30pm.
Traffic also came to a standstill outside the nomination centre as supporters parked their vehicles haphazardly.
Meanwhile, BN candidate Zakaria Said and PAS' Amiruddin Hamzah also filed their nomination papers for the Anak Bukit state seat at the Auditorium Bernas without any objections.
Both seats fell vacant following the death of PAS president Fadzil Noor on June 23, more than two weeks after he underwent a heart-bypass surgery.
Both the by-elections will be held next Thursday.
Crucial contests
In the 1999 general election, Fadzil defeated Othman Abdul the former parliamentary secretary to the prime minister's department with a majority of 2,934 votes.
The late PAS leader polled 22,413 votes while Othman received 19,474.
In Anak Bukit, Fadzil defeated Abdullah Hasnan Kamaruddin with a majority of 1,840 votes, garnering 8,480 votes over Abdullah's 6,640 votes.
The by-elections are crucial for BN which has seen its dominance in the Malay-majority state of Kedah threatened by PAS.
In 1999, PAS captured eight out of the 15 parliamentary seats. The Muslim-based opposition party also clinched 12 of the 36 state seats.
For more news and views that matter, subscribe and support independent media for only RM0.36 sen a day:
Subscribe now