KUALA LUMPUR: The Chini state seat by-election on July 4 will be a three-cornered fight between Barisan Nasional (BN) and two independent candidates.
Returning officer Datuk Zaliza Zulkifli made the announcement today at the nomination centre at Dewan Utama Institut Kemahiran Belia Negara Pekan, live on the Election Commission's (EC) Facebook page.
"The candidates who will be contesting the Chini by-election are first, Tengku Datuk Zainul Hisham Tengku Hussin, independent candidate; second, Mohd Syukri Mohd Ramli, independent candidate; and Mohd Sharim Md Zain from Barisan Nasional," he said.
The Chini state assembly seat is vacant following the death of Datuk Seri Abu Bakar Harun, 60. He died at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital from a heart attack.
In the last general election, Abu Bakar defended the Chini state seat with a 4,622-vote majority; while Pas candidate Mohd Fadhil Noor Abdul Karim received 5,405 votes; and Mohamad Razali Ithnain from PKR only obtained 1,065 votes.
The EC had set the nomination process for today, early voting for June 30, and polling for July 4, with a 14-day campaign period.
The nomination process began at 8am today, kicking off Malaysia's first by-election amidst the Covid-19 outbreak.
During the Facebook live event, police officers could be seen patrolling the nomination centre, reminding media practitioners and candidate supporters to practice social distancing.
When entering the nomination centre, the temperatures of all three candidates were recorded and their hands sanitised by security personnel.
Previously, EC chairman Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun said that several new rules will apply for the by-election to ensure the safety of all present at the constituency.
Among the new standard operating procedures (SOPs) are practising social distancing, avoiding handshakes and hugs, wearing face masks, practicing good personal hygiene through frequent hand washing and sanitising, and temperature recording.
Later, during a press conference, Azhar reminded all candidates to adhere to all the SOPs formulated by the Health Ministry and the EC at all times.
"A reminder for candidates: campaign materials that include racial sentiments or could incite hatred are strictly not allowed," he added.
Asked if the EC managed to control the crowd at the nomination centre today, Azhar said: "There was a small group out there, but the police managed to control the situation. I'd like to remind everyone again to follow the SOPs."
Chini has 20,900 registered voters, comprising 20,972 regular voters and 18 early voters. Those aged 40 and below make up 56 per cent of the electorate.