Its chairperson, Azhar Azizan Harun, in a statement today, clarified the appeal was based on the finding of facts on the EC and its officers.

It would not affect the cancellation of the state seat’s election results during the 14th general election, he added.

Azhar said the decision was reached after scrutinising the court’s oral judgment and after consultations with lawyers.

He said EC was filing the appeal as it was concerned about the effect of the court’s findings on the officers and the commission, adding that they would also affect the operation and conduct of future elections.

The deadline to file an appeal against the Seremban election court’s decision is this Friday.

It is unknown whether incumbent Rantau assemblyman from Umno, Mohamad Hasan, will also be appealing against the election court’s decision.

High Court judge Azimah Omar, sitting as an election judge, had ordered a by-election for the Rantau state seat.

She said there was ample evidence to show PKR’s candidate Dr Streram Sinnasamy was denied entry into the nomination centre to file his papers.

Azimah described the action by EC and its employees to stop Streram as “an act of suppression”.

Streram had filed the petition on May 23 to nullify the EC’s decision to declare Mohamad the winner of the Rantau state seat.

Mohamad won the Rantau seat uncontested.

Streram said there was no legal requirement for passes to enter the Dewan Sri Rembau nomination centre, adding that the EC had not informed him about it when he collected the nomination form or when he paid the deposit.

He said the EC had breached provisions in the Election Offences Act 1954 and regulations when its officers did not order the police to allow him, his proposer and seconder into the centre.

As a result, he said, although qualified, he was denied the constitutional right to contest in the election.