Practise filling up nomination form, candidates urged

KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) has advised potential candidates for the Rantau state by-election in Negri Sembilan to familiarise themselves with the nomination form by filling it and making the necessary checks much earlier.

EC chairman Azhar Azizan Harun said they could do this at the office of the Returning Officer at the operations room of the Seremban District and Land Office or the Negri Sembilan EC office well before nomination day on March 30.

“The purpose of this is to ensure that all potential candidates fill the form correctly and meet the conditions and qualifications.

“This can ensure that the nomination process gets under way smoothly,” he said in a statement.

Azhar said all potential candidates, along with their proposer and seconder, must submit their completed nomination form to the Returning Officer on Saturday.

He also advised them to make their deposit payments (for the by-election and campaign material) much earlier.

“The potential candidates are advised to collect the entry passes for the nomination centre for the candidate, proposer and seconder after making the deposit payments. This is to ensure a smooth nomination process,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Negri Sembilan police will be mobilising more than 1,000 personnel to ensure that the by-election proceeds smoothly.

State Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department chief Asst Comm Samad Yahya said all policemen who would be on duty during the by-election were undergoing preparations.

“We hope to obtain the cooperation of all parties to ensure public order.

“Even though the by-election is considered small scale, it involves heavyweight candidates and personalities,” he said after the 212th Police Day parade at the Negri Sembilan police headquarters.

The Federal Court had rejected Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s petition to set aside the Election Court’s decision to nullify his uncontested win for the seat in the 14th General Election.

Mohamad, who is now carrying out the duties of Umno president, won uncontested after Pakatan Harpan Dr S. Streram was prevented from entering the nomination centre for not having a pass issued by the EC.

The Rantau state constituency has 20,926 registered voters comprising 55.11% or 11,283 Malays, Chinese (18.80% or 3,849), Indian (26.06% or 5,336) and others (0.02% or four voters).

The EC has set polling on April 13, with early voting on April 9.

Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (C) Bandar Sri Sendayan’s multi-purpose hall has been made the nomination centre and official vote tallying centre. — Bernama