Balingian by-election, 2014

A by-election was held for the Sarawak State Assembly seat of Balingian on 29 March 2014 following the nomination day on 17 March 2014.[1] The incumbent assemblyman and former 33-year Chief Minister, Abdul Taib Mahmud resigned from his post on 28 February 2014. [2] The seat was declared vacant after he took his seat as the new Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak, succeeding Abang Muhammad Salahuddin whose term ended on 28 February.[3] Taib was an assemblyman from the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, a component party of Barisan Nasional. The former chairman of the party, he won by a majority of 5,154 votes against 2 other candidates in the 2011 election.[4]

The election saw a straight fight between Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional. Yussibnosh Balo represented Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu while Abdul Jalil Bujang represented Parti Keadilan Rakyat, a component party of Pakatan Rakyat.[5][6] The by-election campaign was marred by allegations that Chief Minister Adenan Satem abused his power when 4 PKR leaders were barred from entering Sarawak during the campaign period.[7]

Yussibnosh Balo retained the very safe BN seat by a majority of 6,911 votes.[8][9]

Results

Sarawak State Assembly: Balingian by-election, 2014
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Barisan Nasional Yussibnosh Balo 8,194 86.46 Increase10.14
Pakatan Rakyat Abdul Jalil Bujang 1,283 13.54 Increase2.84
Rejected ballots 146 1.52
Majority 6,911 72.92 Increase9.58
Turnout 9,624 72.00 Increase2.02
Barisan Nasional hold Swing Increase3.65

References

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