KOTA BARU, March 22 — PAS retained the Chempaka state seat when its candidate Ahmad Fathan Mahmood@Mahamad defeated four independents, with a majority of 10,092 votes, in the by-election there today.
Ahmad Fathan, who is the Ulama Affairs chief in the constituency, obtained 10,899 votes.
Of the independents, former Kelantan Perkasa vice-president Sharif Mahmood polled 807 votes; Pertubuhan Keturunan Paduka Raja Cik Siti Wan Kembang president Fadzillah Hussin (89 votes); former lecturer Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary (51 votes); and businessman Aslah Mamat (27 votes).
The results were announced by Returning Officer Ibrahim Bakri Mat Deris at Dewan Bitara Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM), Pengkalan Chepa here at 9pm.
Present when the results were announced were Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob, PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu and Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Kelantan Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.
The voting process went smoothly with 55 per cent of the 21,890 registered voters casting their votes. The turnout in the 13th General Election was 85.90 per cent.
The by-election has been necessitated by the death of the assemblyman, PAS spiritual leader and former Kelantan menteri besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, 84, on February 12.
In GE13, Nik Abdul Aziz defeated Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Wan Razman Wan Abdul Razak by a majority of 6,500 votes. Nik Abdul Aziz secured 12,310 votes while Wan Razman received 5,810 votes.
The Barisan Nasional (BN) has opted out of the by-election, choosing to focus instead on the massive rehabilitation work after Kelantan was hit by extraordinary floods in December last year. — Bernama
Chempaka by-election result
Result-Kelantan N06:
Chempaka, Kelantan: 21,890
1. Fadzillah Hussin (Independent) ………………………………89
2. AHMAD FATHAN MAHMOOD@MAHAMAD (PAS) ….....10,899
3. Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary (Independent) ……………….51
4. Aslah Mamat (Independent) …………………………………27
5. Sharif Mahmood (Independent) …………………………...807
Votes cast...........................................12,013
Percentage...........................................55.00
Spoilt votes..............................................140
Majority...............................................10,092
Incumbent: Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat (PAS)
Votes polled: 2013: 12,310
Majority: 6,500
