Court sets April 12 to hear Anwar’s suit against EC

The Kuala Lumpur High Court today set April 12 to hear the suit by former opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim against the Election Commission (EC) and two others for allegedly barring him from casting his vote in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary by-election on May 7 last year. Deputy registrar Nor Hasniah Ab Razak set the date in chambers in the presence of senior federal counsel Azizan Md Arshad and Natra Idris, representing EC, its former chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof and the government. Also present was Anwar's lawyer, Melissa Sasidaran. Azizan, when met by reporters, said the hearing would be before judge Datuk Nor Bee Ariffin. On May 6 last year, Anwar, the former Permatang Pauh MP, filed an originating summons to seek a declaration on his right to vote as provided in Article 119 of the Federal Constitution. Besides damages and cost, Anwar is also seeking the defendants to take appropriate action to enforce his right as a voter. In a supporting affidavit, Anwar 69, claimed that on April 30 last year, his lawyer had sent a letter of demand to EC and Aziz for confirmation on his eligibility to vote in the by-election, but no response was received from them until today. He claimed the action by EC and Aziz in not replying his letter had denied him of his right as a voter and a breach of Article 119 of the Federal Constitution. Anwar said he was seeking the declaration to uphold his right to vote in the Permatang Pauh by-election and also any general elections to be held. He said he was already a registered voter in Permatang Pauh before his conviction by the Federal Court on February 10 last year and had voted in the constituency in the 13th general election three years ago. Anwar is now serving a five-year jail sentence in the Sungai Buloh Prison after being convicted on a charge of sodomising his personal aide. – Bernama, February 17, 2016.]]>