Ec Confirms Four Cornered Fight For Semenyih

---

The Semenyih by-election campaign will kick off after the nomination process is completed this morning. The March 2 contest will determine if Pakatan Harapan can retain the state seat amid claims that Malay support for the ruling coalition is waning
Harapan is fielding Muhammad Aiman Zailani, 30. He is the son-in-law of the late incumbent Bakhtiar Mohd Nor
BN's challenge comes in the form of retired UKM administrative officer Zakaria Hanafi, 58
Both candidates are locals
PSM's Nik Aziz Afiq Abdul and social activist Kuan Chee Heng are also expected to vie for the semi-urban Malay-majority seat in Selangor, which had been an Umno stronghold since 1959 until the last general election
Malaysiakini brings you the nomination process live
HIGHLIGHTS'Fastest nomination in history'Harapan candidate confident of retaining seatSocial activist Kuan arrivesPAS reps join BN entourageHarapan leaders, supporters march towards nomination centreCandidates greet supporters and pose for selfies11.25am - This concludes our live coverage of the nomination process for the Semenyih polls. Follow our live blog later today for coverage of the by-election campaign
'Fastest nomination in history'11am: Dewan Seri Cempaka - Election Commission chairperson Azhar Azizan Harun says that the nomination process for the Semenyih by-election is the fastest in the nation's history
Azhar tells a press conference that the EC wrapped up the process by 10.25am
He also notes that integrity pledges (surat aku janji) asking candidates to adhere to election laws were prepared for all four contenders
The EC, Azhar adds, is aiming for a 70 percent turnout, and expects to announce the results by 10pm on the March 2 polling day
EC confirms four-cornered fight for Semenyih10.25am: Dewan Seri Cempaka - The battle for the Semenyih state seat will be a four-cornered fight
Those in the running are BN's Zakaria Hanafi, Pakatan Harapan's Muhammad Aiman Zainali, PSM's Nik Aziz Afiq Abdul and independent candidate Kuan Chee Heng
Returning officer Mohd Sayuthi Bakar says the EC has accepted the nomination forms of all four candidates
Nomination ends, EC to announce candidates later10.00am: Dewan Seri Cempaka - Returning officer Mohd Sayuthir Bakar announces that the nomination process for the Semenyih state seat has ended
The EC will announce the candidates later
Harapan candidate confident of retaining seat9.00am: Dewan Seri Cempaka - Harapan candidate Aiman Zainali is confident of retaining the seat which fell vacant following the death of his father-in-law Bakhtiar Mohd Nor
"I am happy with the support given to us. We are confident that we can defend the seat," he tells the media
Aiman is also hoping to bag a bigger majority than his late father-in-law, who ended Umno's dominance of the seat in the last general election
Social activist Kuan arrives9.00am: Dewan Seri Cempaka - Social activist Kuan Chee Heng arrives with a group of 10 supporters. He is the first independent candidate to enter the venue to file his nomination papers
Previously, the EC said 13 nomination papers were sold with regard to the March 2 contest
PAS reps join BN entourage8.40am: Persiaran Impian Perdana - Some 20 PAS representatives arrive at the BNcamp and are greeted with handshakes and hugs
There are more than 1,000 supporters in the area
BN heavyweights are also present to lend support to the candidate. This includes the coalition's acting chairperson Mohamad Hasan, Nazri Abdul Aziz, Khairy Jamaluddin, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Zambry Abdul Kadir and Ahmad Maslan
After reciting prayers, the group moves towards Dewan Seri Cempaka, which is the nomination centre
Harapan leaders, supporters march towards nomination centre8.35am: Persiaran Impian Perdana - Harapan leaders and some 500 supporters recite a short prayer before marching to the nomination centre, Dewan Sri Cempaka, with their candidate
Armed with Harapan flags and placards with the image of the candidate, the group, which is led by Muhyiddin, also chant 'Allahuakbar' (God is great) as they march
Bersatu member Mustapa Mohamed, who is also the MP for Jeli, and Bagan Serai MP Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali are also present to lend their support
Candidates greet supporters and pose for selfies8.15am: Persiaran Impian Perdana - Some 50 PSM members and supporters gather in front of a shop lot near the nomination centre
Wearing a red shirt, which is the colour of the socialist party, and a white songkok, candidate Nik Aziz Afiq Abdul arrives with his family
Also present are PSM chairperson Nasir Hashim, secretary-general A Sivarajan, central committee member S Arulchelvan and Suaram adviser Kua Kia Soong
7.40am: Persiaran Impian Perdana - Clad in a blue Baju Melayu, BN candidate Zakaria Hanafi arrives in a four-wheel drive at a carpark located behind the Dewan Seri Cempaka, which is the gathering point for the coalition
He is greeted by some 30 supporters and poses for selfies with them
7.30am: Persiaran Impian Perdana - Harapan candidate Muhammad Aiman Zainali and the coalition's leader gather at the carpark next to a golf course to have breakfast and snap selfies
Also present are Harapan election committee chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin, PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP deputy chairperson Gobind Singh
 -Mkini

---