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MELAKA – The Election Court here today dismissed the preliminary objections by the Election Commission (EC) and two others against an election petition filed by Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad, the Barisan Nasional candidate for the Sg Udang seat who lost in the recent Melaka election.
The two others were Dr Mohd Aleef Yusof of Perikatan Nasional and the returning officer for Sg Udang during the election held on November 20 last year.
Judge Datuk Azman Abdullah made the decision on grounds that the case should be heard as it is of public interest.
Lawyer Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun, representing Ali, told reporters that the court had fixed March 24 to April 31 to hear the election petition.
Over 30 witnesses will be called to testify in the trial, he said.
On December 14, Ali, 57, filed an election petition to annul the victory of Aleef, 35, alleging that there were elements of corruption involved in the election for the Sg Udang seat.
He named Aleef, who won with a majority of 530 votes in the four-cornered fight, the returning officer for the state seat during the election, and the EC as the first to third respondents.
In his petition, Ali, who is Tangga Batu Umno division head, requested to nullify Aleef’s victory and sought a by-election for the seat.
Ali claimed that Aleef had committed corrupt practices in the election as stated under Section 32 (c) of the Election Offences Act 1954.
The three respondents then filed preliminary objections to the election petition. – Bernama, February 11, 2022