Monday, September 08, 2008

KURUP'S PENSIANGAN SEAT DECLARED VACANT & EC TO DECIDE ON 22 SEPT


The Kota Kinabalu Election Court today declared the Pensiangan parliamentary seat, won by Barisan Nasional's Joseph Kurup on March 8 general election, be vacant.

High Court judge Justice David Wong Dak Wah decision could pave way for a by-election for Pensiangan which was won uncontested by Joseph Kurup, the President of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).

With the recent amendments to the election laws, Kurup would be allowed to appeal the decision at the Federal Court and Kurup has 14 days to do so, failing which there will be a by-election.

The petition was filed by PKR's Danny Anthony Andipai, who was one of the candidate for the seat. Kurup had won the seat uncontested on Feb 24 nomination day after Andipai's candidacy was rejected after he had submitted his nomination papers after the 10am deadline and his reasons were he and another candidate, Saimeh Usau were have been blocked on their way to the nomination centre.

They were subsequently allowed file their nomination with Andipai's nomination papers accepted at 10.25am and Saimeh's forms five minutes later. However, during the one-hour objection period from 11am, Kurup had raised objections to the late submissions and they were accepted by the returning officer who then disqualified the two candidates from contesting.

Kurup is currently the Deputy Rural Development Minister.

Under the recent amendments to the election law, Kurup can file an appeal against the Election Court's decision to the Federal Court, within 14 days, and the court will then have six months to hear and decide on the case. The Federal Court's decision is final and cannot be challenged.

If there is no appeal from Kurup, a by-election will be called by the Election Commission (EC) within 30 days.

news n photo courtesy of Malaysiakini

1 comment:

NewChief said...

when east bn chief says respect the court decisions, west bn says will appeal. does that mean that east bn chief has made a wrong decision and only west bn are are here to correct the situation because they are more 'smarter' than east bn chief? if so, better drop this east bn chief if dare and appoint a west bn chief !!

law is law. the election director has approved opposition nominations but the 'kena rasuah' officer went against it later. if that's the case, better abolish election director post to save money on gaji to these people!!

go for re-election is better because i am very confident the majority of sabah interior people will be very easily 'conned' by the bn for easy wins.

no need to bring money to them but just a sack of rice, one fish, one chicken , one vege plus the most important of all, beer to drunk them into convincing them to surrender their i/c for 'strangers' to vote for bn!!

easy job win for bn in sabah - not like p44, trust me!! for the win, bodowi can boost again that rakyat support the wonderful bn AGAIN!!