THE battle for the Mahkota state by-election begins today, with the nomination for candidates at Dewan Tunku Ibrahim Ismail in Kluang, reported Bernama.

The Mahkota seat is one of the two state assembly constituencies under the Kluang parliamentary constituency.

The nomination process started at 9am, with the prospective candidates given an hour to submit their nomination forms, followed by returning officer Azurawati Wahid announcing the names of eligible candidates around 11am. 

Barisan Nasional had announced Kluang division Umno Youth chief Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah, 40, as the unity government candidate, while Perikatan Nasional chose former Johor FA footballer Mohamad Haizan Jaafar, 61.

The candidates will have 14 days to campaign, until 11.59pm on September 27, followed by voting on September 28, and early voting set for September 24.

The Mahkota by-election is being held following the death of its incumbent Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, on August 2, while she was receiving treatment at the Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom Hospital here.

This marks the 10th by-election since the 15th general election, following the by-elections for Kuala Terengganu (parliamentary), Simpang Jeram (state assembly), Pulai (parliamentary, Johor), Pelangai (state assembly, Pahang), Jepak (state assembly, Sarawak), Kemaman (parliamentary, Terengganu), Kuala Kubu Baharu (state assembly, Selangor), Sungai Bakap (state assembly, Penang), and Nenggiri (state assembly, Kelantan). – September 14, 2024