Court nullifies PAS' election win in Kuala Terengganu

 

The election court in Kuala Terengganu has nullified PAS member Ahmad Amzad Hashim’s victory in Kuala Terengganu in the 15th general election (GE15).

High Court judge Mohd Firuz Jaffril this afternoon allowed the election petition by BN’s candidate for the constituency, Mohd Zubir Embong.

Amzad’s (above) counsel Yusfarizal Yusoff confirmed the outcome when contacted today, adding that they would appeal to the Federal Court (election petition appeals go straight to the apex court, bypassing the Court of Appeal).

“The election result for Kuala Terengganu (was declared by the court to be) invalid and quashed,” the lawyer said.

Yusfarizal added that they would be applying for the election court to stay the decision, pending disposal of the appeal at the apex court.

When contacted, Zubir's counsel Amin Othman confirmed the outcome.

He said the judge ruled, among others, that there was an element of bribery in the distribution of financial aid from the state government - via the i-Belia and i-Student initiatives - prior to GE15.

He explained that if the incumbent lawmaker does not appeal within 14 days of the decision today, the Election Commission would be empowered to announce a by-election for the parliamentary seat.

On Jan 3, BN filed petitions to annul the GE15 results of Kuala Terengganu, Marang, and Kemaman parliamentary seats, in accordance with the Election Offences Act 1954.

Terengganu Umno chief Ahmad Said reportedly said then that among the issues raised in the petitions were claims that PAS had bribed voters.

He said this was done via the distribution of financial aid from the state government through the i-Pension, i-Belia, and i-Student initiatives between Nov 15 and 17 last year, a mere few days before GE15.

However, the election court in Kuala Terengganu earlier today upheld PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang’s electoral victory in Marang.

Today's election court verdict for Kuala Terengganu is the first actual such legal challenge against GE15 results allowed by the court.

Besides Kuala Terengganu, Marang, and Kemaman, BN had also filed election petitions to challenge the GE15 results for Gua Musang, Putrajaya, Masjid Tanah, and Segamat.

However, BN did not succeed in its election petition for Putrajaya. - Mkini