PORT DICKSON: The seven-cornered fight in the Port Dickson parliamentary seat by-election is proof that democracy is flourishing well in Malaysia.
DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng in saying this, added that he hoped the upcoming by-election would see healthy competition without slander.
"This by-election shows that the democratic system is alive and well in the country because everyone has the right to contest, including enemies of Anwar (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim)," he said when met at the nomination centre at the Port Dickson Municipal Council (MPPD) hall, here, today.
The Election Commission (EC) earlier announced the list of candidates for the by-election after the nomination period ended at 10am.
Lim who is also Finance Minister said voters had the right to choose whichever party that fought for them regardless of race and religion.
Commenting on the obstacles Anwar might face with regard to the number of candidates vying for the seat, Lim said there are no elections that pave an easy road to victory.
"If a candidate is confident of losing even before fighting, then they will lose.
"So, we cannot take competitions for granted and we must put in effort to ensure a win," he added.
EC returning officer Khairy Maamor earlier said seven nomination papers were accepted for the Port Dickson by-election.
Those contesting for the seat are PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim representing Pakatan Harapan, Mohd Nazari Mokhtar from PAS, and five Independent candidates; former Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad, Stevie Chan, Lau Seck Yan, Kan Chee Yuen and Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
Meanwhile, A Rajendran's bid to contest as an Independent however failed when his nomination papers were rejected.
The Port Dickson parliamentary seat was left vacant after its incumbent, Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah resigned from the seat on Sept 12 to enable Anwar, who recently won the PKR president’s post uncontested, to stand for election and return to the Dewan Rakyat.
In the 14th General Election (GE14) on May 9, Danyal Balagopal won the seat with a majority of 17,710 votes to defeat BN candidate Datuk V.S.Mogan and Mahfuz Roslan from PAS.
Polling day is set for Oct 13.