BENTONG: The main road outside the Bentong Municipal Council Hall nomination centre here was packed with political party backers demonstrating support for their candidates contesting in the 14th general election (GE14).
BN supporters, dressed in the party's official blue, sang Inilah Barisan Kita as they marched to the nomination centre; while equally-enthusiastic Pas supporters waved their party's flag.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, who is contesting the Pelangai state seat for an eighth term, was accompanied by MCA President and Bentong Parliamentary candidate Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai; Sabai state seat candidate Datuk R. Goona-sakaren; Ketari state seat candidate Datuk Lau Hoi Keong; and Bilut state seat candidate Jason Poo Mun Hoong, when he arrived at the nomination centre at 8.30am.
Pas candidates and supporters were later seated under tents in a designated area next to the Barisan Nasional delegation, while the DAP-led opposition marched into the compound several minutes later.
When the nomination centre opened at 9am, Adnan led the BN candidates, with their respective proposers and seconders; followed by Pas candidates some five minutes later; before DAP entered the hall at about 9.15am.
There was a surprise in the proceedings when an independent candidate turned up outside the nomination hall to contest the Sabai state constituency.
Former MIC member T. Karunaneethi, 68, said he was hoping to utilise his experience as a Bentong Municipal council member to serve the people in the constituency.
Despite the scorching heat, supporters who waited outside the nomination centre kept themselves busy by singing songs – as they were monitored by the police and the Light Strike Force (LSF) team.