Lawyer Rosfinah Rahmat, who appeared for BN’s Ali Mohamad, said Judge Azman Abdullah today decided that the objections had no merit, and instead fixed trial dates.

“The respondents want the petition to be dismissed as procedures were not strictly followed. The judge wants the merit of the complaint heard and decided,” she told FMT.

Azman fixed four days next month and another five days in April to hear the petition where witnesses will be called.

Senior federal counsels Suzana Atan, Ahmad Hanir Hambaly and Liew Horng Bin appeared for the EC and the returning officer, while lawyers Rosli Dahlan and Chetan Jethwani represented Aleef, who contested under Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Ali, who lost the Sungai Udang seat by a 530-vote majority in a four-cornered fight, claimed that Aleef’s victory was sullied as there had been elements of bribery.

He wants the result to be nullified and the court to make orders it deems fit, including costs.

In his petition, Ali said deputy defence minister Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz, the Tanah Merah MP from PN, had assisted Aleef to win the seat, which has a substantial number of army voters.

He also claimed that Aleef had committed corrupt practices in connection with the elections, with full knowledge or consent or by any of his agents, which is an offence under Section 32(c) of the Election Offences Act.

The court has the power to declare the seat vacant if a candidate is found to have indulged in such practices.

Ali also alleged that Aleef and/or Ikmal had presented gifts in cash or in other forms to influence the election result in the Sungai Udang constituency.