Nominations for Slim by-election get underway

SLIM POLLS | The nomination process for the Slim by-election is underway.

The two major potential candidates will soon make their way to the nomination centre at Dewan Sri Tanjung, a hall within the Tanjung Malim municipal council complex in Slim River town, Perak.

Acting Tanjung Malim Umno chief Mohd Zaidi Aziz is expected to represent BN in the by-election to defend the traditional Umno stronghold.

Barring any hiccups during the nomination process or disqualification, Mohd Zaidi's primary challenger is expected to be syarie lawyer Amir Khusyairi Mohahamad Tanusi.

Amir Khusyairi is affiliated with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's upcoming Pejuang party, a splinter of Bersatu.

However, as the party is not yet registered, Amir Khusyairi will have to contest as an independent candidate. He will have to pick an independent logo from a collection of symbols set by the Election Commission.

Due to a ban on public gatherings due to the Covid-19 pandemic, both candidates are turning up at the nomination centre later than usual.

Instead, they are spending more time with their family members at home before making their way to the nomination centre.

Amir Khusyairi's team this morning shared photographs of the candidate seeking blessing from his beaming mother while BN's team have also circulated pictures of Mohd Zaidi with his family members.

The EC is expected to formally announce the final candidates at 9am. Any other candidates apart from the two main contenders will also be known then.

Malaysiakini spotted at least one other potential candidate, Satharasekaran Subramaniam, an academic, who arrived at the nomination centre ahead of the two main contenders.

Unlike past by-elections, hardly any supporters gathered to support their candidate due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some 50 police personnel in face masks have gathered since 6am.

While the government has eased Covid-19 restrictions since late April, a ban on mass gatherings is still in place.

The nomination venue is around 3km away from the Slim River toll for the North-South Expressway.

[More to follow] - Mkini