The by-election for the Penanti state seat in Penang will be held on May 31, with nominations to be filed on May 23.

spr putrajaya penanti by election abdul aziz yusof 270409 02 Election Commission (EC) chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, announcing the dates this morning, dismissed claims by various quarters that the announcement had been delayed for political reasons.

Critics had claimed that, although the seat was vacated on April 16, the EC had postponed announcing the by-election date until after the Umno supreme council meeting, which was held last Friday.

"There is no delay at all. We postponed the announcement to (ensure arrangements in relation to) the returning officers and their assistants,” he told a press conference held at the EC headquarters in Putrajaya.

"Last Thursday we had to meet the political parties (on another matter). The (announcement) had nothing to do with the supreme council meeting. I didn't even know when it was to be held.

“It is not related at all, it is not relevant. We have to announce the date within 10 days as provided by law. Unless we announce it by the 12th day or so forth, then that's a delay. It has nothing to do with Umno supreme council at all."

Abdul Aziz was further asked as to why the EC has now selected a weekend, rather than a weekday as was done for three simultaneous by-elections conducted on April 7.

He replied that the EC had received feedback from the public and political parties, requesting that a weekday not be chosen.

“We have to consider the holidays, the political parties’ activities and our official preparations for polling day, so that it is good for everyone,” he said, but could not guarantee that elections will continue to be held on weekends as “it depends on the situation”.

“Sometimes, it could be more than the 60 days provided (if we consider) the general meetings of the political parties. We need to be seen as just and fair, (and acting) without anyone’s directive.”

mohammad fairuz khairuddin mohammad fairus khairuddin The seat was vacated by PKR's Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin, in the wake of corruption allegations linked to quarrying operations.

However, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has since cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Will there be a contest?

PKR is expected to announce a candidate, but Barisan Nasional has yet to decide on contesting the by-election.

penanti state seat penang 200409 This will be the sixth by-election since the 12th general election last year, which saw the opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance take control of Penang and four other states.

Immediately after the Penanti seat became vacant, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said there was a possibility that the coalition may not contest, although the final decision would require consensus from coalition members.

Umno has left it to its political bureau, headed by Najib, to make a decision.

According to the EC, Penanti has 15,384 registered voters and 24 postal voters.

Malay voters make up 72.68 percent of the electorate, followed by Chinese (24.22), Indians (2.39 percent) and others (0.7 percent).

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