PETALING JAYA: In a stunning reversal of fortune, Barisan Nasional has officially emerged victorious in the Nenggiri by-election in Kelantan, snatching the seat from PAS.
Barisan candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani has emerged victorious, garnering 9,091 votes against PAS candidate Mohd Rizwadi Ismail, representing Perikatan Nasional, who obtained 5,739 votes, says the Election Commission (EC).
This gives Mohd Azmawi a majority of 3,352 votes, the EC added.
The EC also announced that voter turnout for the Nenggiri by-election was 73.88% and there were 135 rejected ballots, while three ballots were not returned.
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Mohd Azmawi’s victory means that Barisan has managed to secure its third seat in the Kelantan state assembly. The remaining 42 out of 45 seats are held by Perikatan.
This is also the first by-election since the 15th General Election in which the incumbent party lost to a challenger.
The Nenggiri by-election was called after the seat was declared vacant by Kelantan state assembly speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah on June 19.
This decision came after former Nenggiri assemblyman Mohd Azizi Abu Naim ceased to be a member of Bersatu on June 13.
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Mohd Azizi had contested the Nenggiri seat under a PAS ticket in the Kelantan state polls last year, where he defeated Barisan candidate Ab Aziz Yusoff by a slim majority of 810 votes.
Before Mohd Azizi won the seat, Barisan held the Nenggiri state seat for four terms.
Throughout the two-week campaigning period, heavyweight figures from both Barisan and Perikatan were present to boost their respective campaign.
On Barisan’s side, leaders such as Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Gua Musang division chief Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah made appearances, while Perikatan brought in the coalition chairman and Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as well as Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.
Earlier today, 20 polling centres with 46 voting streams were opened at 8am, with 14 of the polling centres closing at 6pm, while six others closed earlier due to a lower number of voters in the area.
No early voting was opened for this by-election, with 14 police personnel having voted by post.
This is the ninth by-election following the 15th General Election, with previous ones held for Kuala Terengganu (Parliamentary constituency) in Terengganu; Simpang Jeram (State constituency) and Pulai (Parliament) in Johor; Pelangai (State) in Pahang; Jepak (State) in Sarawak; Kemaman (Parliament) in Terengganu; Kuala Kubu Baharu (State) in Selangor; and Sg Bakap (State) in Penang.
