KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 — Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Kuala Kangsar by-election candidate Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid would not be breaking any elections rules if she does not turn up on nomination day, according to an Election Commission (EC) source.

The source told Malay Mail Online that Regulation 6(2) of the Elections (Conduct of Elections) Regulations 1981 allows Mastura, who is currently observing the Muslim “iddah” period, to be absent on June 5 when candidates for the June 18 polls submit their nomination papers.

He said the rule states that Mastura’s proposer and seconder can submit her papers for her.

“The nomination paper that has been filled can be handed over to the elections officer by either the candidate, proposer or seconder,” the source said when contacted.

Regulation 6(2) states that nomination papers are to be submitted to the Returning Officer at the nomination centre by the “candidate and his proposer and seconder or by any two or any one of them”.

Mastura, the widow of former Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, was nominated as the BN candidate on Saturday to replace her recently deceased husband.

She was reported to have said in a video recording that she would not be able to actively hit the campaign trail as she would be observing “iddah” for a period of four months and 10 days as stipulated in Islam following the death of her husband.

Earlier today, Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa said Mastura does not need to be present on nomination day.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said BN will adopt the “campaigning without the candidate” strategy for the Kuala Kangsar contest.

He also reportedly told the press in Tokyo that Umno had consulted several Muslim scholars on the matter to answer questions raised over how those observing the “iddah” can join the by-election race.

The Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar by-elections will be held on June 18, and were triggered by the death of the incumbents in a helicopter crash ahead of the May 7 Sarawak poll.