Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) senior lecturer Dr Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim has been named as Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Sungai Limau by-election on Nov 4.

The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also BN deputy chairman, in Sungai Lentang, Sungai Limau here, today.

Muhyiddin said Ahmad Sohaimi, who is Jerai Umno division committee member, was chosen based on his credentials.

Apart from this, his party and social activities held him in good stead as they were evaluated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, himself and Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir, said Muhyiddin.

"I urge voters to give him a chance. If BN were to wrest the seat, the constituency will get more attention from the state and federal governments," he told reporters here after the announcement.

The 52-year-old Ahmad Sohaimi, who is senior lecturer at the UPSI's Department of Social Studies and Citizenship, Faculty of Human Sciences, hailed from Kampung Titi Batu, Guar Chempedak here.

On calls for the BN to field a candidate with religious background to turn the tide against PAS which held the seat for five terms, Muhyiddin said with his credentials, Ahmad Sohaimi could give an exemplary service to the constituents.

On PAS' campaign line that even if the BN were to win Sungai Limau it will not make any difference as it still will not be able to gain a two-thirds majority, he said the victory was important for the BN in its strides to make big changes in the development of the constituency.

"We cannot deny that Sungai Limau is a PAS stronghold. They won five times, but a win for BN this time around is to determine major changes, a new paradigm shift.

"I believe an elected representative from BN can do the task as the federal and state governments come from the same party. If the elected representative is from BN it will be easier (to make changes). This is what we have to offer," he said.