Mahkota by-election kicks off with candidate nomination

The battle for the much-awaited Mahkota state by-election will begin today, with the nomination for candidates taking place at the Dewan Tunku Ibrahim Ismail in Kluang.

The nomination process will start at 9am, with the prospective candidates given an hour to submit their nomination forms, followed by the announcement of eligible candidates by returning officer Azurawati Wahid around 11am.

The candidates will have 14 days to campaign until 11.59pm on Sept 27, followed by polling on Sept 28 and early voting on Sept 24.

The Mahkota seat is one of the two state assembly constituencies under the Kluang Parliamentary constituency.

BN announced Kluang Division Umno Youth chief Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah, 40, as its candidate, while Perikatan Nasional chose former Johor FA footballer Mohamad Haizan Jaafar, 61.

The Mahkota by-election is being held following the death of its incumbent Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, on Aug 2, while she was receiving treatment at the Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital. 

The Election Commission (EC) informed that there are 66,318 eligible voters in the constituency, comprising 61,397 ordinary voters, 4,510 military personnel and spouses, 401 police, and 10 absentee voters living abroad.

The EC will open three polling centres and 11 channels for early voting, and 20 polling centres and 109 channels on voting day, with 1,126 officials overseeing the by-election.

In the previous state election, Sharifah won by 5,166 votes in a four-cornered fight, with candidates from Pakatan Harapan, PN, and Warisan. 

This marks the 10th by-election since the 15th general election, following the by-elections for Kuala Terengganu (parliamentary, Terengganu); Simpang Jeram (state, Johor); Pulai (parliamentary, Johor); Pelangai (state, Pahang); Jepak (state, Sarawak); Kemaman (parliamentary, Terengganu); Kuala Kubu Baharu (state, Selangor); Sungai Bakap (state, Penang); and Nenggiri (state, Kelantan).

- Bernama

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