GUA MUSANG: Nominations for the Nenggiri by-election kicked off with large crowds of supporters from both Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional accompanying their respective candidates near Dewan Perdana here.
Perikatan Nasional candidate Mohd Rizwadi Ismail arrived at the hall's gate at 8.50am.
He was escorted by some 800 supporters and accompanied by PN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and state Bersatu chairman Datuk Kamaruddin Mohd Nor.
Barisan Nasional's candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani arrived at Dewan Perdana about 15 minutes later with a an 800-strong crowd of supporters and party leaders as well.
He arrived with Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, as well as BN election director for Nenggiri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Kelantan Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub.
Clad in BN's blue t-shirt, Azmawi later proceed to the hall to submit his nomination form.
The Nenggiri by-election was called after Kelantan Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah declared the seat, previously held by Mohd Azizi Abu Naim vacant.
Mohd Azizi, who is also the Gua Musang member of parliament, was among the seven elected representatives dismissed from Bersatu for supporting the unity government.
In the Kelantan state election held in August last year, Mohd Azizi won Nenggiri with a narrow majority of 810 votes in a straight fight against a BN candidate.
The Election Commission (EC) has set nomination date today with polling on Aug 17.
The electoral roll used for the Nenggiri state seat by-election contains 20,245 registered voters.
As of Thursday, 10 nomination forms have been purchased by three parties namely Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional and Parti Sedar Rakyat.