“I have been serving the constituents even after the 14th general election,” he said, adding that Negeri Sembilan PKR had appointed him as coordinator for the constituency.

Streram, an anaesthetist, said he had also been working with the constituents in Rantau as far back as two years ago.

“But I am aware that it is the prerogative of the party leadership who they want to nominate to contest,” he told FMT after election judge Azimah Omar declared the seat as vacant.

Streram filed the challenge on May 23, saying returning officer Amino Agos Suyub and the Election Commission (EC) had denied him the right to contest by refusing him entry to the Sri Rembau nomination centre on April 28.

Agos subsequently declared former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hassan winner of the Rantau state seat.

Streram, who was in court today to follow the proceeding, said the verdict delivered by Azimah was a victory for democracy.

“The judge clearly stated that it is the constitutional right of a candidate to offer himself to contest,” he added.

Azimah had also said it was the legal right of the 27,000-odd voters in Rantau to elect their assemblyman.

“What happened on nomination day went against democratic principles,” she said.

The Negeri Sembilan government fell to Pakatan Harapan in the May 9 polls after the coalition’s candidates won 20 of the 36 legislative seats.

Mohamad has 14 days to file an appeal in the Federal Court, failing which the EC may meet to decide on nomination day and polling day for the by-election.

His lawyer Mohamad Hafarizam Harun said Mohamad would consult with the relevant parties before deciding on his next course of action.