Show of strength: The Barisan candidate Amizar (left, in sampin) and the Perikatan candidate Kasim (right, in sampin) arriving at the Felda Kemasul community hall nomination centre flanked by their respective coalitions’ leaders in Bentong, Pahang.
BENTONG: The Pelangai by-election on Oct 7 will see a three-cornered fight between Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional and an Independent.
They are Bentong Umno division committee member Datuk Amizar Abu Adam representing Barisan, Bentong PAS deputy chief Kasim Samat for Perikatan and Independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli, who is using the symbol of a car.
The line-up was announced by returning officer Datuk Mohammad Shahid Ismail at 10.16am yesterday at the nomination centre at the Felda Kemasul community hall here, Bernama reported.
Mohammad Shahid said Amizar, 50, who was accompanied by a proposer and seconder, submitted his nomination papers at 9.01am, followed by Kasim, 63, one minute later, and Haslihelmy, 36, at 9.08am.
The Election Commission fixed a 14-day campaign period, starting yesterday to 11.59pm on Oct 6 with early voting on Oct 3.
A total of 16,456 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the by-election, including 36 police personnel and three overseas postal voters.
Earlier, Amizar arrived at the nomination centre accompanied by supporters and Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Pahang Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
Kasim, who had contested in the seat before, was accompanied by PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, Perikatan election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor and Pahang Perikatan chairman Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah.
The Pelangai by-election, the first by-election in Pahang after the 15th General Election (GE15), was held following the death of its incumbent Datuk Seri Johari Harun, 53, in a plane crash in the Elmina township on Aug 17.
In GE15, Johari, who represented Barisan, won with a 4,048-vote majority, defeating Kasim, Ahmed Wafiuddin of Pakatan Harapan and Pejuang candidate Isa Ahmad.
Barisan currently controls 16 of the 42 seats in the Pahang assembly while Pakatan holds eight, allowing them to administer the state. Perikatan has 17 seats.
