Bersih 2.0 questions BN for forcing Mastura to contest in Kuala Kangsar state by-election

PETALING JAYA: Electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 today questioned Barisan Nasional (BN) as to why they selected Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid as their candidate for the Kuala Kangsar state by-election.
"Why force her to contest? Are there no other credible candidates that can be fielded?
"She is also a lawyer by profession and the by-election should highlight on her principles," Maria Chin Abdullah as the Coalition for Free and Fair Elections chairman asked at the organisation's headquarters in a news conference here today.
She added that the election procedure is silent when it came to candidates being absent during the campaign trail.
"However, the seconder and proposer or any of the two can be present during the nomination," she said.
She also did not discard the possibility for BN's strategy to place an "absent candidate" to gain the constituents' sympathy votes when asked by the press.
"Definitely, however, M. Manoharan, who was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Kamunting, Perak, contested during the 12th general election in 2008," she said.
Manoharan had won the seat despite being absent during the campaign period.
BN has come under fire since their announcement to field Mastura, who is observing a four-month period of 'iddah' or mourning after her husband's death Datuk Wan Mohd. Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad on May 8 in a helicopter crash in Sarawak.
The decision had been made after consulting with Perak mufti Datuk Seri Hassani Zakaria.
Thus far, she has remained silent on being accepted as a candidate.
On a separate note, Maria announced that 20 election observers will be deployed during the two by-elections.
The public has been urged to exercise their right and contact the movement's hotline 011 3133 9820 either through SMS or WhatsApp to alert Bersih on any discrepancies found.