Umno information head Ahmad Maslan said the government will not use the 2014 Budget to lure voters in the upcoming Sungai Limau by-election in Kedah.

Speaking to reporters at Parliament's lobby yesterday, Ahmad, who is also deputy finance minister, said the opposition need not worry about this if the by-election is held after the budget is tabled on Oct 25.

He said the opposition need not try to influence the Election Commission in calling the date for the by-election as the commission was an independent entity.

He was commenting on the statement by PAS vice-president Mahfuz Omar onn Monday that the by-election should be called before Budget 2014 was tabled to avoid "goodies" being announced for the voters in Sungai Limau.

The by-election is necessitated following the death of its assemmblyperson Azizan Abdul Razak from PAS on Sept 26.

Azizan was also the menteri besar of Kedah when it was under PAS rule from 2008 to April 2013.

- Bernama