KOTA BARU, Sept 2 — The Election Court here will make its ruling on the Gaal state seat election petition filed by the Barisan Nasional (BN) on Thursday.

Presiding election judge Datuk Zamani Abdul Rahim said this was to allow PAS to submit a written submission on the second preliminary objection against the petition.

The petition should have been heard today but PAS filed a second preliminary objection prior to the commencement of the petition proceedings.

Zamani allowed first respondent Tuan Mazlan Tuan Mat, who is Gaal assemblyman, to file a written submission against the petition today.

Tomorrow, petitioner Redzua Stapha, who was the BN candidate, the second respondent (Gaal returning officer) and the third respondent (the Election Commission) are required to respond to the written submission.

PAS' lawyer Hisham Fauzi said the preliminary objection was filed for the second time as several new issues cropped up.

BN is represented by lawyer Mohd Ilias Mohd Noor while the second and third respondents by senior federal counsel Azizan Md Arshad.

Tuan Mazlan of PAS wrested the Gaal state seat in the 13th general election by a 302-vote majority. — Bernama