THE contest for the Padang Serai parliamentary seat in the 15th general election, which was previously postponed following the death of one of the candidates, will see a six-cornered fight.

The six vying for the seat are Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Dr Mohamad Sofee Razak, C. Sivarraajh (Barisan Nasional), Azman Nasrudin (Perikatan Nasional) and Hamzah Abd Rahman (Pejuang).

The other two contenders are Mohd Bakhri Hashim representing Warisan and Independent candidate Sreanandha Rao.

Returning officer Abdul Bari Abdullah announced their names at 10.45am after nomination closed at Kulim Hi-Tech Sports Complex Hall today.

Also present was Election Commission (EC) deputy chairman Dr Azmi Sharom.

Sofee, who was just announced yesterday as the PH candidate, arrived at the nomination centre at about 8.30am, while all the other candidates  who were already confirmed on November 5 were present for the drawing of lots to determine the order of names on the ballot paper.

Although the Warisan candidate was absent at the drawing of lots, this would not affect his chance to contest the seat.

The nomination process today went smoothly without incident and was closely monitored by the authorities.

Sofee, 47, who is a lawyer, is replacing PH’s previous candidate, M. Karupaiya, 69, who died on November 16, believed to be due to a heart attack and health complications.

The Kedah PH secretary previously stood in the Kuala Ketil state seat in the 2018 general election.

Following Karupaiya’s death, the EC postponed polling for the Padang Serai parliamentary seat to December 7 and early voting to be held on December 3.

In 2018, Karupaiya won the parliamentary seat with a majority of 8,813 votes, defeating PAS’ Muhamad Sobri Osman and BN’s Dr Leong Yong Kong. – Bernama, November 24, 2022.