The Election Commission (EC) is expected to call for by-elections in Padang Serai following the death of Pakatan Harapan candidate and incumbent M Karupaiya earlier today.
Clause 11(6) of the Elections (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981 states that the EC can call for by-elections on a separate date in the event a nominated candidate dies.
Earlier today, PKR’s Karupaiya died after being in hospital for three days.
It is learnt that the former army officer fell during one of his campaign trails at Padang Serai.
Kulim district police chief Redzuan Salleh said the Padang Serai PKR chief died at 2.27pm at Kulim Hospital.
This is the first time a candidate has died during a general election (GE).
The incumbent was reportedly hospitalised three days ago and was in a six-cornered fight for the Padang Serai seat.
He would have faced C Sivarraajh (Barisan Nasional), Azman Nasrudin (Perikatan Nasional), Hamzah Abd Rahman (Pejuang), Mohd Bakhri Hashim (Warisan) and Sreanandha Rao (Independent).
The 69-year-old won the Padang Serai seat in the 2018 GE after defeating MCA’s Leong Yong Kong and PAS’ Sobri Osman.