THE Election Commission (EC) has set January 16 as the polling date and nomination on January 4 for the Gerik and Bugaya by-elections.

EC chairman Abdul Ghani Sallleh said early voting in both constituencies will be on January 12.

The Gerik parliamentary seat in Perak fell vacant following the death of its incumbent, Hasbullah Osman, on November 18 while the Bugaya state seat in Sabah fell vacant after its incumbent Manis Muka Mohd Darah, 65, died on November 17.

Hasbullah, 63, retained Gerik in the 14th general election for Barisan Nasional with a majority of 5,528 votes.

Manis Muka, 65, a Warisan member, retained Bugaya in the Sabah elections on October 26 with a majority of 6,005 votes. – November 27, 2020.