KUALA LUMPUR – Confusion has surrounded Padang Serai voters, following the sudden death of Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate M. Karupaiya three days before voters were meant to cast their ballot for the 15th general election (GE15).
While the Election Commission (EC) is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting tomorrow to determine several dates for the constituency’s election, the commission’s official application has informed voters that elections for the parliamentary seat will not be taking place.
Based on a screenshot shared with The Vibes from a Padang Serai voter’s MySPR Semak application, the constituency’s election has been postponed due to Kurapaiya’s death.
Karupaiya won the federal seat in 2018 with an 8,813-vote majority, beating Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Leong Yong Kong and PAS’ Muhamad Sobri Osman.
This time, he was to face a six-cornered fight for the seat against MIC’s Datuk C. Sivarraajh, who is running on BN’s ticket, Pejuang’s Hamzah Abd Rahman, Perikatan Nasional’s Datuk Cikgu Azman, Warisan’s Mohd Bakhri Hashim, and independent Ananda A. K.
It was reported yesterday that Karupaiya, a retired army personnel and Padang Serai PKR chief, had died of a heart attack.
The EC subsequently announced that it will be meeting tomorrow, with EC secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishal noting that a press release will be issued following the discussion.
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 17, 2022
