KT returning officer forced to quit

(The Malaysian Insider) The returning officer for the Kuala Terengganu by-election Datuk Mat Razali Kassim today tendered his resignation effective immediately.

According to a statement issued by the Election Commission secretary Datuk Ngah Senik, a special meeting was convened after the Kuala Terengganu mayor applied for withdrawal as the returning officer.

"The EC agreed to accept the withdrawal of Datuk Mat Razali Kassim as the returning officer for the Kuala Terengganu by-election effective immediately," said Ngah, without specifying the reason behind Razali's resignation.

He added that with the resignation the commission has appointed Kuala Terengganu City Council Secretary Wan Mustafa Wan Hassan to assume the functions and responsibilities of the returning officer.

Over the past few days Razali has been accused by Pas of campaigning for Barisan Nasional at an assembly of City Council staff.

Razali however reportedly denied that he had campaigned for BN, saying that it was a regular assembly, where he addressed the staff on government policies.