KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk C. Sivarraajh has chosen to remain mum over the Election Commission’s (EC) decision to disqualify him from contesting in the upcoming Cameron Highlands by-election.
The MIC vice-president, who was formerly the seat’s member of parliament, said he is currently in discussion with his lawyers on his next move.
“I do not wish to comment yet as I’m discussing matters with my lawyer.
“I will inform you if there are any developments,” he told NSTP.
Earlier on Friday, EC chairman Azhar Azizan Harun had announced that Sivarraajh would not be able to defend his former seat in the upcoming by-election, scheduled for Jan 26.
Sivarraajh has also been barred from becoming a candidate or a voter in any election for the next five years.
This, said, Azhar, was done after a careful study of the ruling made by the Election Court on Nov 30. This also included studying the Election Court judgment and report under Section 36(2)(a) and Section 37 of the Election Offences Act 1954 on Dec 13, as well as after considering legal views under Act 5 of the Election Offences Act 1954.
The Cameron Highlands by-election was called following a decision by the Election Court to nullify Sivarraajh’s win in the 14th general election. The court had ruled that during the election, there were elements of bribery involved in a bid to sway voters in the area.
