PUTRAJAYA: Polling for the Tioman state seat, which could not proceed today following the death of Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate, Md Yunus Ramli, early this morning, will be held on Dec 7.

Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh, in a statement today (Nov 19), said that nomination day is set for Nov 24, with early voting on Dec 3.

He said the EC received the election writ regarding Md Yunus’ death, which was returned by the Rompin returning officer today.

“The campaigning period is set for 13 days starting after the announcement of contesting candidates on Nov 24 until 11.59 pm on Dec 6,” he said.

This means that polling for the Tioman state seat will be held simultaneously with the Padang Serai parliamentary seat, following the death of Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate, M. Karupaiya, who was also the seat incumbent, last Wednesday.

Md Yunus, 61, was confirmed dead at Rompin Hospital at 3.30 am today after he was rushed there by family members.

The deceased who was PAS Sungai Puteri division chief had previously contested for the same state seat in the 2018 general election.

In the 15th general election, Tioman is engaged in a five-cornered fight involving Md Yunus, Sulaiman Bakar (Independent), Osman A. Bakar (Pejuang), Mohd Fadzli Mohd Ramly (Pakatan Harapan) and Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Hussain (Barisan National). – BERNAMA