GE13 begins; here come the nominees

The frenzy will begin to reach dizzying heights even as political candidates submit their nomination forms this morning to contest in the 13th General Election (GE13).

This will mean GE13 officially begins with over 500 candidates expected in the 222 parliamentary seats; while over more than 1,000 candidates will contest in 505 state assembly seats.

The current ruling-party Barisan Nasional (BN), headed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak will again contest in all seats throughout the country, with the aim to regain power, and a mandate from the people.

BN is hoping to bury the ‘ghost’ of 2008’s GE12 where the ruling coalition field its worst ever achievement in the nation’s history.

In the previous election, BN managed to stay in power with a simple-majority but lost Selangor, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, and Perak to Opposition parties, which then formed an alliance in Pakatan Rakyat. BN, however, managed to wrest back Perak after three lawmakers switched camps.

The BN mission now is not only to win the election with a convincing two-thirds majority but wrestle back the lost states from Pakatan’s hands.

In the other corner, the Opposition coalition headed by its de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim still have their sights on not only winning the election, but going all the way to Putrajaya.

The combination of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), Parti Islam Semalaysia (PAS) and Democratic Action Party (DAP) and their allies are spread out in all states, but the heat is in Johor where the opposition front makes its maiden attempt to penetrate the BN fortress.

More than 10 ‘hotspots’ are said to be seats with a tough fights expected such as Gelang Patah, Lembah Pantai, Shah Alam, Wangsa Maju, Pandan, and Batu.

Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman from BN will be facing the DAP advisor, Lim Kit Siang at Gelang Patah seat, Former Federal Territory Minister, Datuk Seri Raja Nong Chik is expected to face the incumbent of Lembah Pantai seat and PKR vice-president, Nurul Izzah Anwar.

Most of these battles will indicate whether the political careers of the candidates will advance or will some be ‘buried alive’.

The Election Commission will open up the nominations centres between 9am to 10am, and the list of candidates who are confirmed to be eligble to contest will be announced by the Returning Officers after the checking process is complete.

The process this time around has been simplified with the amendment to the General Election Regulations (Process of General Election) 1981, where the one-hour protest period during nomination and withdrawal of candidacy has been abolished.

The abolishment of technical error in candidate registration form is expected to ease the chance of every candidates to contest for the election.

The 15 day campaign period will also begin today until midnight of the last day where over 13 million voters will make their choices on polling day on May 5.

Unlike in 2008, where most of the seats saw straight fights, there are more independents expected this time.

These include disgruntled BN and Pakatan members sidelined by their respective parties. In 2008, 1588 candidates contested and 103 of those were independents.

Among the independents being closely watched is the former MCA president, Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, an incumbent since 1989, who will face-off in Pandan with the fresh PKR candidate, Rafizi Ramli.

Another controversial character, Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali is also expected to hand in his nomination papers in Pasir Mas.

Former Tasek Gelugor UMNO division chief Datuk Seri Mohd Shariff Omar has also expressed his intention to run this GE13 as a independent candidate.