KINABATANGAN, Jan 9 — The Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections start tomorrow with nominations at Sri Lamag Hall here.
Prospective candidates will submit their nomination forms at the Candidate Nomination Centre (PPC) from 9am.
Submissions close an hour later.
Once nomination is complete, the returning officer will declare candidates eligible to contest for both by-elections.
The son of the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, Mohd Naim Kurniawan, who is also Kinabatangan Umno Youth chief, has been named Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat.
For the Lamag state seat, BN has named former Independent candidate in the 17th Sabah election, Mohd Ismail Ayob, popularly known as Miha, to represent the party in the by-election.
Parti Warisan has named former Sukau assemblyman Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman as its candidate for the Kinabatangan seat, while party supreme council member Mazliwati Abdul Malek has been named candidate for the Lamag seat.
The Kinabatangan and Lamag by-elections were called after the death of incumbent Bung Moktar, 66, on December 5.
The Election Commission (EC) set a 14-day campaign period, which starts after the declaration of candidates tomorrow and lasts till 11.59pm on January 23.
For the Kinabatangan and Lamag by-elections, 48,722 voters are eligible to cast their ballots, comprising 48,526 regular voters and 196 police personnel and their spouses as early voters.
Thirty-six regular polling centres (117 channels) and one early polling centre (one channel) will be activated.
The EC has set polling day for both by-elections on January 24, with early voting on January 20.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has forecast rain in several areas in Kinabatangan tomorrow morning.
Yesterday, Sabah police commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said 926 police personnel in the state have been assigned to ensure the smooth conduct of both by-elections.
Several roads will be closed during nomination day and polling day for the by-election involving Jalan Dato Pengiran Galpam from the Shariah Court until Simpang 3 towards Jalan Dato Malek Chua here.
The roads will be closed from 7am on nomination day, while on polling day, the closure will start at 5pm until the vote count is completed and the victor announced.
