By Nur Ashikin Louis
KUCHING, Dec 9: Datuk Ali Biju’s name will still appear on the ballot paper despite his announcement to withdraw from contesting in the 12th Sarawak Election.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Dato Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said under the law, there is no withdrawal permitted after the nomination objection period and the announcement of candidates’ names by the Election Commission (EC)’s Returning Officer.
“Based on Rule 9 of the Elections (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981, candidates are not allowed to withdraw after 10am on the day of nomination.
“If he expresses his intention to withdraw, the EC will not remove his name from the nomination and his name will still appear on the ballot paper,” he said in a statement today.
Wan Junaidi who is also Santubong MP further said if the people voted for Ali in the majority, he’ll be announced as the winner.
“If he loses the majority, he ends up splitting the votes. Therefore, he wins both ways,” he added.
Despite Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) announcing that the party will stay out of the Sarawak Election out of respect for ally Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Ali who is the incumbent for Krian filed his nomination papers as an independent candidate on nomination day on Dec 6.
His decision to contest has since drawn backlash from GPS leaders, with GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg last night even expressing disappointment over the incumbent’s actions for violating the agreement between Perikatan Nasional (PN)-Bersatu and GPS. — DayakDaily
