EC: Candidates who withdraw technically still in race

EC deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said that this was in line with the latest abolishment to a provision under the Election Regulations 1981 that used to allow for such withdrawals.

“Under the EC laws, the candidate cannot do this but if a candidate wants to announce that he or she is withdrawing from the contest, that is his or her individual right,” Wan Ahmad was quoted by Bernama as saying.

Voters can still vote for the candidate and the votes will still be counted at the end of the day, as the contestants are technically still in the race, he said.

Therefore, even in a one-on-one fight, the returning officer cannot announce that a candidate has won uncontested before counting the votes.

The abolishing of the withdrawal period, he said, was inline with the recommendations by the Parliamentary Selection Committee to improve the process of the elections.

Meanwhile, in a related matter, PAS-PKR today resolved the problem on overlapping seats.

PAS that it will give up the Labuan parliamentary seat and the state seats of Sungai Acheh in Penang and Panti in Johor to PKR.

In return, PKR will give up three state seats in Terengganu to PAS - Bukit Besi, Seberang Takir and Kota Putera kepada PAS.

The status of the Kota Damansara state seat is reportedly being discussed among PAS, PKR dan Dr Nasir Hashim of PSM.

Today, it was also reported that DAP’s Sim Tong Him has declared his withdrawal from contesting as an independent candidate in the Kota Laksamana state seat in Malacca.

However, Sim will still be running for the Kota Melaka parliamentary seat, where he is the incumbent.