KUALA LUMPUR – The Election Commission (EC) is set to hold an emergency meeting to determine several dates for the Padang Serai election following the death of Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate and the parliamentary seat’s incumbent M. Karupaiya earlier today.
In a statement today, EC secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishal said the commission had received the election writ that was returned by the elections management officer on the death of the candidate.
“The EC expresses its condolences to the family of the late Karupaiya, the PH candidate for the Padang Serai P.107 parliament seat following his death on November 16 (today).
“We wish his family to remain strong following the loss of a loved one.”
Ikmalrudin added that a press release will be issued following Friday’s meeting.
A source told The Vibes that Karupaiya, who is the seat’s incumbent, died of a heart attack.
Karupaiya won Padang Serai in 2018 with a 8,813-vote majority, beating Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Leong Yong Kong and PAS’ Muhamad Sobri Osman.
This time, he was to face MIC’s Datuk C. Sivarraajh, who is running on BN’s ticket, Pejuang’s Hamzah Abd Rahman, Perikatan Nasional’s Datuk Azman Nasrudin, Warisan’s Mohd Bakhri Hashim, and independent Ananda A.K.
According to the Election Regulations 1981, if a candidate dies before the poll is conducted, the EC “shall countermand the notice for the poll, and shall appoint by notice published in the Gazette a fresh date for the election.”
“... and in such case all proceedings with reference to the election shall be commenced afresh…”, the regulations also state. – The Vibes, November 16, 2022
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