(From left) Hutan Melintang candidates, Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki (PAS), Datuk Khairuddin Tarmizi (Barisan Nasional (BN)), G Manivannan (PKR); Bagan Datuk parliamentary candidates, Ata Abdul Muneim Hassan Adli (PAS), Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BN), Pakhrurrazi Arshad (PKR); Rungkup state seat candidates, Datuk Shahrul Zaman Yahya (BN), Hatim Musa (PKR) and Mohd Mokheri Jalil (PAS) carry their hands after completing the nomination process at Sekolah Menengah Sains Bagan Datuk, Bagan Datuk. Pic by AIZUDDIN SAAD
(From left) Hutan Melintang candidates, Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki (PAS), Datuk Khairuddin Tarmizi (Barisan Nasional (BN)), G Manivannan (PKR); Bagan Datuk parliamentary candidates, Ata Abdul Muneim Hassan Adli (PAS), Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BN), Pakhrurrazi Arshad (PKR); Rungkup state seat candidates, Datuk Shahrul Zaman Yahya (BN), Hatim Musa (PKR) and Mohd Mokheri Jalil (PAS) carry their hands after completing the nomination process at Sekolah Menengah Sains Bagan Datuk, Bagan Datuk. Pic by AIZUDDIN SAAD

BAGAN DATUK: Barisan Nasional deputy chairman and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will defend his Bagan Datuk parliamentary seat in a three-cornered fight in the 14th General Election (GE14).

Zahid will face Ata Abdul Muneim Hasan Adli (PAS) and Pakhrurrazi Arshad (PKR).

The announcement was made by Bagan Datuk returning officer Datuk Hamzah Hussein at Sekolah Menengah Sains Bagan Datuk here today.

In GE13, Zahid won with a majority of 2,108 votes in a straight fight. He secured 17,176 votes to beat PKR candidate Mahdi Hasan who garnered 15,068 votes.

Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for Bagan Datuk parliamentary seat, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (centre) marches with BN Rungkup candidate, Datuk Shahrul Zaman Yahya (left) and Hutan Melintang BN candidate, Datuk Khairuddin Tarmizi arrive at the nomination centre in Sekolah Menengah Sains Bagan Datuk, Bagan Datuk. Pic by AIZUDDIN SAAD]
Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for Bagan Datuk parliamentary seat, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (centre) marches with BN Rungkup candidate, Datuk Shahrul Zaman Yahya (left) and Hutan Melintang BN candidate, Datuk Khairuddin Tarmizi arrive at the nomination centre in Sekolah Menengah Sains Bagan Datuk, Bagan Datuk. Pic by AIZUDDIN SAAD]

Meanwhile, Hamzah also confirmed that the two state seats in the constituency - N53 Rungkup and N54 Hutan Melintang - will each see a three-cornered fight.

The battle for Rungkup is between incumbent Datuk Shahrul Zaman Yahya (BN), Hatim Musa (PKR) and Mohd Mokheri Jalil (PAS).

Hutan Melintang will be a contest between Datuk Khairudin Tarmizi (BN), G. Manivannan (PKR) and Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki (PAS) Meanwhile, it was a no-show by Ibrahim Mat Zin aka Raja Bomoh Malaysia on nomination day. Ibrahim had earlier announced his intention to contest the Bagan Datuk parliamentary seat.

Earlier, thousands of BN, PKR and PAS supporters had gathered outside the nomination centre as early as 7am.

Police put a tight security cordon outside the centre to separate the supporters, who waved colourful party flag and banners.