One-on-One Contest: BN vs PAS in Nenggiri By-Election

KUALA LUMPUR: The Nenggiri State Assembly by-election will feature a one-on-one contest between candidates from Barisan Nasional (BN) and PAS on August 17.

According to Berita Harian, BN has fielded Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani, the Youth Chief of UMNO Kelantan, as the candidate representing the Unity Government. His opponent from PAS is Mohd Rizwadi Ismail, a former member of the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM).

Both candidates were declared eligible to run by the Returning Officer of the Nenggiri State Assembly by-election, Nik Raisnan Daud, following the nomination process which concluded at 10 a.m. today at Dewan Perdana, Kompleks Perdana, Gua Musang District Council.

Nik Raisnan announced that the nomination for PAS candidate Mohd Rizwadi Ismail was received at 9:02 a.m., followed by BN candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani at 9:08 a.m.

Mohd Azmawi Fikri, 38, is also the Youth Chief of UMNO Kelantan, while Mohd Rizwadi, 41, is a former member of the Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM).

Nik Raisnan stated that no nomination papers were rejected.

Earlier, Mohd Rizwadi arrived at the nomination center at 8:45 a.m., while Mohd Azmawi Fikri arrived at 9 a.m.

Thousands of supporters from both contesting parties were seen waiting outside the gate.

The by-election is being held due to an unexpected vacancy after the previous incumbent, Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, was declared to have lost his BERSATU membership on June 13.

The Election Commission (EC) has set the polling day for August 17, with the campaign period lasting for 14 days, from today until 11:59 p.m. on August 16.

According to the EC, a total of 20,259 registered voters are eligible to cast their votes in the Nenggiri by-election, which involves 20 polling centers.

In the August State Election last year, Mohd Azizi won with a majority of 810 votes, receiving 6,517 votes compared to BN candidate Ab Aziz Yusoff, who received 5,707 votes.

This is the ninth by-election since the 15th General Election, following previous by-elections in Kuala Terengganu (Terengganu); Simpang Jeram and Pulai (Johor); Pelangai (Pahang); Jepak (Sarawak); Kemaman (Terengganu), Kuala Kubu Baharu (Selangor), and Sungai Bakap (Penang).