THE Slim state by-election campaign begins today with the nomination of the candidates.

The nomination process at Dewan Sri Tanjung, Tanjung Malim District Council in Tanjung Malim begins at 9am with the candidates given an hour to submit their names for the election.

Due to the coronavirus threat, the traditional processions and gatherings are barred. Election Commission guidelines allow only the candidates and their proposers and seconders to enter the nomination centre.

Returning officer Shamsul Ridzuan Idris is expected to announce the names of the eligible candidates at 11am.

As of yesterday, 12 sets of nomination forms have been sold.

Barisan Nasional (BN) on Wednesday announced Tanjung Malim Umno deputy chief Mohd Zaidi Aziz, 43, as its candidate to defend the state seat, while lawyer Amir Khusyairi Mohamad Tanusi, 38, was named as the candidate representing the supporters of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Amir Khusyairi will contest on an Independent ticket as Dr Mahathir’s new party, Pejuang has not been registered.

The by-election was called following the death of the incumbent Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib, 59, of a heart attack on July 15.

Polling is on August 29.

In the 2018 general election, Khusairi won defended the state seat for the fourth term with a majority of 2,183 votes, defeating the Bersatu candidate who contested on a PKR ticket, Mohd Amran Ibrahim, and PAS candidate Muhammad Zulfadli Zainal. – Bernama, August 15, 2020.