KUALA LUMPUR, June 27- The Election Commission (EC) is set to hold the first by-election after the 13th general election (GE13) in Terengganu following the death of Kuala Besut assemblyman Dr. A. Rahman Mokhtar due to lung cancer yesterday.
With his death, the Barisan Nasional (BN) hangs on precariously with 16 seats in the state assembly against Pakatan Rakyat’s 15 (PAS 14 while PKR one).
If the EC were to meet soon, most likely the by-election would be held during the fasting month of Ramadan as Muslims are expected to begin fasting on July 10 and celebrate Hari Raya Puasa on Aug 8 and 9.
A. Rahman, 55, of the BN retained the seat after beating Napisah Ismail of PAS with a 2,434-vote majority.
The Election Commission (EC) will meet as soon as possible to set the date of the impending by-election, said its deputy chairman, Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar.
Clause 30 (1) of the Terengganu State Constitution and the Elections Act stipulate that a by-election must be held within 60 days of the seat falling vacant.
Meanwhile, Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan denied the existence of a clause that a by-election need not be held if an assemblymen died within 60 days after the general election and he or she could be replaced by a candidate from the winning party and appointed by the menteri besar.
“There is no such thing and I have confirmed this with the Attorney-General.
“The assumption on this so-called provision went viral on social media. It is up to the EC to set the date of the by-election now,” he said.
– BERNAMA
