Kelantan PAS is expected to release the names of its shortlisted candidates for the Chempaka state seat by-election in a week.

"The names of the potential candidates are coming in now. God willing, the shortlist will be ready in a week," Kelantan PAS commissioner Ahmad Yakob told reporters at a function in Kota Bharu today.

He said PAS could not field just any candidate in the by-election as it was the seat of the late PAS spiritual leader, Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

The Chempaka by-election will be held following the death of Nik Abdul Aziz, who was also former Kelantan menteri besar, on Feb 12 due to prostate cancer.

In the 13th General Election, he defeated Wan Razman Wan Abd Razak from BN with a 6,500-vote majority.

Nik Abdul Aziz obtained 12,310 votes while Wan Razman had 5,810 votes.

The Election Commission has fixed March 22 for the by-election and March 10 for the nomination of candidates. Early voting is on March 18.

- Bernama