Kelantan Umno will focus on four groups of voters in campaigning for the Galas by-election, said its chief Mustapa Mohamed.

He said they were the elderly who received aid from the Welfare Department, women, youths and religious groups.

"We have to get close to these four groups as they hold the key to the Barisan Nasional's victory (in the Galas by-election).

"Kelantan Umno does not view the Galas by-election lightly. Our election machinery must adopt a strategic and structured approach in campaigning," he told reporters in Gua Musang today.

Mustapa, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister and the BN's deputy election director for the by-election, said BN's Galas by-election director Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who is also the MP of Gua Musang, had been informed of the strategy.

Nik Aziz to interview potential candidates

In Bachok, Kelantan Umno deputy chief Dr Awang Adek Hussin said the Election Commission calling the Batu Sapi by-election on the same day as the Galas by-election (Nov 4) was not a problem for Kelantan Umno.

azlan "It will reduce the number of campaigners from the opposition (in Galas)," he told reporters after opening a local football competition.

In Kota Bharu, Kelantan PAS election director Abdul Fatah Harun said PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat would be interviewing the party's shortlisted candidates before announcing who would be fielded for the by-election.

Speaking to reporters at the Kelantan Menteri Besar's private residence here, Abdul Fatah said Nik Aziz might even announce the name of PAS' candidate before the BN announced theirs, which is expected to be on Oct 22.

Nomination is on Oct 26 for the Galas and Batu Sapi by-elections.

- Bernama