KUALA LUMPUR: The Election Commission (EC) will immediately hold a meeting once it receives an official letter from Kelantan State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah about the vacancy in the Nenggiri state seat.
Its deputy chairman Dr Azmi Sharom said the commission, however, has yet to receive the notice from the state assembly.
"We will conduct a meeting to decide the date of the Nenggiri by-election once we receive the letter," he said when contacted by Berita Harian today.
Earlier, it was reported that the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly has declared the Nenggiri state seat vacant, paving the way for a possible by-election in Kelantan.
Mohd Amar said the seat was declared vacant effective today, following a notification of the seat's incumbent Mohd Azizi Abu Naim's termination received on June 13.
Following the revocation of Mohd Azizi's membership, Mohd Amar said the state assembly decided to vacate the seat effective today in accordance with Phase Three of Article 31(A) of the state constitution.
"The state assembly on June 13 received a written notice from a Kelantan Bersatu member about Mohd Azizi losing his Bersatu membership, leading to the unexpected vacancy of the N43 seat.
"Following this, the state assembly has declared the seat vacant and will submit this notice to the state Election Commission today," he told a press conference today.
He added that according to Article 31(A)(4) of the state constitution, the unexpected vacancy in the seat needs to be filled within 60 days from the day the EC receives the notice.
On June 12, Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said the party had revoked the memberships of six elected representatives.
Hamzah had said the party issued notices to the six members, initiating their expulsion without delay.
He had said in pursuant to the directive issued by Bersatu's Supreme Council, which convened on June 7, 2024, and after informing Perikatan Nasional leadership council, which convened on June 11, immediate notices were given to the six elected representatives who had violated Clause 10.4 of the Bersatu constitution.
Hamzah had said the process was in line with the foundation of the party constitution and the country's laws under Article 49(A) of the Federal Constitution and/or under the related state government laws.
