KUALA TERENGGANU, 8 Oct 2008: The Special Election Court here today dismissed with costs an election petition filed by the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Marang parliamentary seat in the 8 March general election.
Datuk Dr Ahmad Ramzi Muhammad Zuber had filed the petition claiming that several incidents prevented voters from exercising their rights on that day.
In a two-page judgement, Datuk Kang Hwee Gee said the fact that 86.2% of the constituency’s registered voters went to the polls showed that there was no ground for the court to declare the win by Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang null and void.
Abdul Hadi, who won the Marang parliamentary seat and Rhu Rendang state seat was named as respondent in the suit.
“The preliminary objection by the respondent is allowed and the petition is dismissed with costs,” Kang said.
He added that the alleged public threat arising from six incidents stated in the petition did not contribute to the drop in voter turn-out on polling day.
There was also insufficient evidence to show that the incidents were staged by Abdul Hadi or with his knowledge or agents, Kang added.
Both the petitioner and respondent were represented by a team of five lawyers. The counsels representing Dr Ahmad Ramzi were led by Firoz Hussien Ahmad, while Abdul Hadi’s team was led by Datuk Wan Abdul Mutalib Wan Embong.
The petition was filed on 28 March, together with the petitions for the Manir and Rhu Rendang state constituencies, which were both won by PAS.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Ramzi, when met by reporters outside the court, said he accepted the court’s decision and would study whether or not to appeal the case.
In the 8 March general election, Abdul Hadi, who is PAS president, beat Ahmad Ramzi in the contest for the Marang parliamentary seat.
Abdul Hadi garnered 33,435 votes and won the seat with a 2,747 majority. — Bernama
