May 25 set as Bukit Gelugor by-election, several factors taken into account, says EC

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PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission has set May 25 as the date for the Bukit Gelugor Parliamentary by-election in Penang after taking into account several factors, said its chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof.

He said the Parti Keadilan Rakyat conference would be held from April 25 to May 11 while the Penang state legislative assembly would convene from May 19 to May 23.

According to EC, several public holidays were also being considered before the date was fixed, such as May 1 (Workers’ Day), May 13 (Wesak Day), June 1-2 (Gawai Dayak) and June 7 (Yang Dipertuan Agong’s birthday).

“So the most suitable date is May 25,” he told a media conference after chairing a special meeting on the vacant seat here Thursday.

The Bukit Gelugor by-election has been set on May 25, nomination on May 12 and early voting on May 21.

The by-election is being held following the death of its incumbent, Karpal Singh in a road accident at Km 306.1 of the North-South Expressway near Gua Tempurung in Kampar, Perak last April 17.

In May 2013 general election, Karpal Singh, 74, from DAP, won the seat with 41,778-majority vote defeating Barisan Nasional challenger Teh Beng Yeam. – Bernama