The Election court in George Town today dismissed an election petition filed by Independent candidate for the Bukit Gelugor by-election Abu Backer Sidek Mohamad Zan to nullify the result of the May 25 by-election.

Judge Lee Swee Seng, when dismissing the petition, ruled that Ramkarpal Singh Deo of DAP was the rightful winner in the by-election.

He ordered Abu Backer Sidek to pay costs of RM10,000 each to the three respondents named in the petition, namely Ramkarpal Singh, the Bukit Gelugor returning officer and the Election Commission.

In the judgment, Lee said there was insufficient particulars to support the allegation made by the petitioner.

“I have no hesitation in dismissing the petition as the petitioner had not shown enough proof to back his claims that the by-election results were affected,” he added.

Abu Backer Sidek, a lawyer, filed the petition on June 18, seeking the court to declare the results of the by-election as null and void.

The by-election was four-cornered fight among Ramkarpal, Abu Backer Sidek, Parti Cinta Malaysia’s Huan Cheng Guan and another Independent candidate, Mohd Nabi Bux Mohd Sathar.

It was held following the death of its incumbent assemblyperson Karpal Singh in a road accident in April. Ramkarpal, who is Karpal’s son, won the seat with a 37,659 vote majority.

- Bernama