The Election Commission will meet on Sept 14 to fix the dates for the nomination and polling for the Bagan Pinang state by-election in Negeri Sembilan.

azlanEC chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof told Bernama that he expected to receive the letter from Negeri Sembilan legislative assembly speaker informing the commission of a vacancy for the seat by today.

The seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent assemblyperson Azman Mohammad Noor, of Barisan Nasional, on Friday.

In the 12th general election last year, Azman polled 6,430 votes to defeat PAS' Ramli Ismail with a majority of 2,333 votes.

A by-election must be held within 60 days after the seat has become vacant.

When asked on the likelihood of the by-election being held after Umno's annual assembly from Oct 13 to 16, Abdul Aziz said:

"As many important events are happening next month, we will be discussing these in our meeting," he said.

The Bagan Pinang by-election will be the 9th one to be held after the March 2008 general election.

Division wants Isa Samad

In another development, the Teluk Kemang Umno division has expressed its interest to nominate its chief Isa Samad as the candidate for the by-election, reports Abdul Rahim Sabri.

The division's youth chief Mohd Faizal Ramli said Isa, a former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar, commands the respect of the people there.

"The people here still have high confidence in him," he said.

He added that choosing the right candidate was vital as this was an important by-election for Umno.

"This is also a BN stronghold which must be defended and if possible increase the majority," he said.

The division will hold its meeting on Thursday to decide on the candidate.

Isa was found guilty of money politics in 2005 and was suspended from Umno for three years.

As a result he had to relinquish his vice-president's post which he had won in 2004. He was also forced to quit the cabinet.