SUSPENSE OVER CANDIDATE LIST
It will be released a few days before nomination day, MIC chief believes
The guessing game on when Barisan Nasional is expected to announce its candidate list continues. Some say it might be by the end of this week, while others say by next week, which is before nomination day on April 28.
Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been busy for the past two weeks after the dissolution of Parliament to vet candidates for parliamentary and state seats.
He has been meeting BN state liaision chairmen, component party leaders as well as interviewing candidates at his official residence at Seri Perdana, Putrajaya.
BN’s formula in selecting candidates has always been camaraderie and consensus.
Sources close to the ruling coalition said BN had settled 90 per cent of the candidate list and those chosen would be announced by this week.
Some of the candidates selected are expected to contest parliamentary and state seats.
The candidate list is expected to be on how BN will boost its chances in winning the elections.
Based on this, said sources, about 30 per cent of candidates fielded would comprise new faces.
A BN component party president said he believed the full list of names would be released a few days before nomination day on April 28.
MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S Subramaniam, who made this estimation, said the papers would not be given to candidates this weekend, contrary to rumours circulating.
“I believe that the ceremony will not be held this weekend. This is because the prime minister will give the papers out only after the candidate list is announced a number of days before nomination day.
“But it is still up to the discretion and decision of the prime minister,” he told NSTP at the launch of the MIC manifesto for the Indian community at its headquarters here yesterday.
Last month, Najib said BN would break convention by naming candidates earlier than usual. The norm was to announce names 48 hours or two to three days before nomination day.
“This is so that if there are issues arising in the constituencies, we have time to address and correct them.
“This will also enable the candidates to better prepare for the polls when they know where they will be fielded.”
On April 7, he dissolved Parliament to pave the way for the 14th General Election.
The Election Commission announced that nomination day will be on April 28 and polling day on May 9. Up for contest in the election are 222 parliamentary and 5O5 state seats.