KUALA LUMPUR, 7 April 2009: The number of election candidates will not be limited as such a move is not in line with the country’s democratic practice, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.
He said that the number of candidates was not important as anyone could contest so long as the person is aged 21 years and above, could pay the deposit and not a bankrupt.
“The more the merrier and we will have a wider choice,” he told reporters at parliament lobby here today.
The Bukit Selambau state by-election today created a record for having the most number of candidates — 15 altogether, including 13 independents.
Mohamed Nazri said the use of extra large ballot papers in the Bukit Selambau by-election could not be avoided due to the number of candidates.
“In some countries, the use of large ballot papers was a normal thing because of the number of candidates,” he said. — Bernama
