MIC vice-president C. Sivarraajh’s eligibility to contest the Cameron Highlands by-election remains uncertain, with the Election Commission set to seek legal advice on the matter.

This follows the election court’s ruling that Sivarraajh had illicitly induced people to vote in the 14th general election to win the seat.

EC chairman Azhar Harun today said the commission would make a decision on the matter before nomination day on January 12.

“The EC is reviewing the decision by the election court judge on his eligibility, and is still waiting for the advice of legal experts on the matter.

“Once we have received legal advice on the matter, we will decide on it as soon as possible,” he said today after announcing the election date in Putrajaya.

The Cameron Highlands by-election will be held on January 26, with early voting set for January 22.

The constituency has 32,009 registered voters, comprising 31,750 ordinary voters, 247 early voters and 12 absentee voters. The EC targets a voter turnout of 70% for the by-election.

The by-election is being called after the election court ruled on November 30 to annul the results of the seat in the May general election.

The election court found voters were induced to vote for Sivarraajh, but added that the latter was not guilty of bribing them.

Sivarraajh previously insisted he did not give any money to Orang Asli voters as inducement for their support.

He won the seat in a five-way fight by securing 10,307 votes, or 597 more than DAP’s M. Manogaran. – December 19, 2018.