New judge for cases against EC on redelineation exercise

Justice Hanipah Farikullah recuses herself as she is a close friend of Election Commision (EC) chairman, Hashim Abdullah.

KUALA LUMPUR: A new judge will be hearing all judicial reviews against the Election Commission (EC) on proposed redelineation exercises.

This came about after Justice Hanipah Farikullah recused herself from hearing all EC-related cases, saying she is a close friend of Election Commision (EC) chairman, Hashim Abdullah, said lawyer Syahredzan Johan, appearing for Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah.

The judge gave the same reason last week on a judicial review bid by Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah and 10 voters, against the EC.

There are five suits by Nurul Izzah against the EC.

Besides Maria, other suits on the proposed redelineation have been filed by the Selangor government, three Setiawangsa voters and three other voters of Hulu Selangor.

Lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan, for the Selangor government, added the new judge’s name will be known in a week.

“We have asked for an urgent date for the stay hearing on the EC’s inquiries,” she said. “We want to proceed with the last hearing date that we have i.e. November 28.”

The parties in court filed their judicial reviews separately. They want a declaration the exercise was null and void.

The Setiawangsa voters are challenging the EC on its alleged refusal to hear objections during an inquiry.

They claim that despite 110 voters objecting to the redelineation, EC said the number was less than the required 100.

The trio want the court to order the EC to hold an inquiry.