Nominations For Slim By Election Get Underway

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SLIM POLLS | The nomination process for the Slim by-election is underway
The two major potential candidates will soon make their way to the nomination centre at Dewan Sri Tanjung, a hall within the Tanjung Malim municipal council complex in Slim River town, Perak
Acting Tanjung Malim Umno chief Mohd Zaidi Aziz is expected to represent BN in the by-election to defend the traditional Umno stronghold
Barring any hiccups during the nomination process or disqualification, Mohd Zaidi's primary challenger is expected to be syarie lawyer Amir Khusyairi Mohahamad Tanusi
Amir Khusyairi is affiliated with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's upcoming Pejuang party, a splinter of Bersatu
However, as the party is not yet registered, Amir Khusyairi will have to contest as an independent candidate. He will have to pick an independent logo from a collection of symbols set by the Election Commission
Due to a ban on public gatherings due to the Covid-19 pandemic, both candidates are turning up at the nomination centre later than usual
Instead, they are spending more time with their family members at home before making their way to the nomination centre
Amir Khusyairi's team this morning shared photographs of the candidate seeking blessing from his beaming mother while BN's team have also circulated pictures of Mohd Zaidi with his family members
The EC is expected to formally announce the final candidates at 9am. Any other candidates apart from the two main contenders will also be known then
Malaysiakini spotted at least one other potential candidate, Satharasekaran Subramaniam, an academic, who arrived at the nomination centre ahead of the two main contenders
Unlike past by-elections, hardly any supporters gathered to support their candidate due to the Covid-19 pandemic
Some 50 police personnel in face masks have gathered since 6am
While the government has eased Covid-19 restrictions since late April, a ban on mass gatherings is still in place
The nomination venue is around 3km away from the Slim River toll for the North-South Expressway
[More to follow] - Mkini

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