Nomination day this morning marks the official start of the race towards the 13th Parliament.
There are 222 parliamentary and 505 state legislative assembly seats that will be contested. However, elections will not be held for the 71-seat Sarawak state assembly.
The weather this morning is forecasted to be mostly fine throughout the country, except for Penang, Johor and parts of Malacca.
Nominations will last from 9am to 10am after which the Election Commission (EC) will scrutinise the nomination forms.
For the first time ever, there will not be a public objection period against any potential candidate, as election rules have been amended to rid this process.
Unlike in 2008, the tripartite alliance of PAS, PKR and DAP are unlikely to field candidates against one other, but plenty of Independent candidates have emerged to potentially force multi-cornered fights.
A large number of people who were not chosen as candidates for BN and Pakatan are expected to file in their papers as Independents.
Sabah is expected to have the most number of multi-cornered fights, which is traditionally the case, with Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and Sabah State Reform Party (Star) joining the fray.
DAP is expected to use its own logo for the contest following alast-minute assurance from the Registrar of Societies (ROS) that it has no objections to it, despite not recognising its party leadership.
Once the returning officers announce the candidates, the general election campaign, which last 15 days until midnight on May 4, officially begins. Polling is on May 5.
LIVE REPORTS
7.54am:
Supporters from BN and Pakatan Rakyat have started gathering at various constituencies to move to the respective nomination centres.
Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) - Traffic is sparse, and one would not guess that today is nomination day if not for the party flags lining the streets, though even these are few and far between.
Bentong (Pahang) - Some 300 Himpunan Hijau and Pakatan supporters have started to march from Medan Selera Kampung Baru, which is 600m away from the nomination centre.
They chant "Ini kalilah" and "Kuburkan BN" (Now is the time, Bury BN).
Jerlun (Kedah) -Supporters of both coalitions have started to gather. The nomination centre is at Sekolah Men Sains Kubang Pasu and both camps are gathered on opposite sides.
The Jerlun parliamentary seat and Ayer Hitam state seat will see Umno strongmen Othman Aziz and Mukhriz Mahathir face off with PAS excos Ismail Saleh and Abdul Ghani Ahmad respectively.
Pandan (Selangor) - Though few party supporters from either side are seen, over 100 police and local council personnel have already closed the road in front of the nomination centre.
Fire trucks assist by filling up road barriers with water, while tow trucks remove vehicles parked within the 50 metre buffer zone from the nomination centre.
The weather remains cool and breezy while members of the press waiting outside the nomination centre make guesses on whether the incumbent MP Ong Tee Keat will defend his seat as an Independent candidate.
Sibu (Sarawak) - About 30 DAP supporters gather at the Sibu HQ to accompany Sibu candidate Oscar Ling and Lanang candidate Alice Lau to the nomination centre. They move off after Ling leads a prayer for the nation's democracy.
As a tradition, they serve auspicious food to the candidates to bring good luck, such as steamed buns, rice dumplings, yam cake and glutinous rice dumplings.
Sarawak DAP chief Wong Ho Leng explains this is the DAP's tradition before nomination.
8am:
Pandan (Selangor) - Ong Tee Keat shows up opposite the Lembah Maju food court and delivers a speech to around 100 of his supporters in orange shirts. It is still unclear if he is contesting.
Kluang (Johor) - A 1,000-strong multiracial crowd gathers in front of the Pakatan operations centre and prepares to march to the nomination centre about 1km away. Many of the Chinese are seen carrying the PAS flag while the Malay supporters hold the DAP rocket flag.
Pakatan accessories such as caps and T-shirts sold by party workers are going like hotcakes.
8.11am:
Jerlun (Kedah) - Mukhriz and Abu Hassan start moving with roughly 3,500 supporters in tow.
Bukit Gantang (Perak) - PAS supporters conduct prayers with Nizar Jamaluddin (Changkat Jering state seat) and Idris Ahmad (Bukit Gantang parliamentary seat) at Taman Tasik Taiping before moving off to the nomination centre at the Larut and Matang land office. About 300 supporters have flooded the venue with swelling numbers.
BN supporters meanwhile gather at the Umno Bukit Gantang office with their candidates.
Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) - PKR's Api-Api candidate Christina Liew is the first candidate to arrive at the Kota Kinabalu nomination centre at Dewan Maksak, Likas.
50 supporters with party flags chant “Reformasi!” and “Ini Kali Lah!”.
Bagan (Penang) - 1,000 Pakatan supporters gather in front of DAP’s operations centre, 500m from the nomination centre Kwong Wah school.
8.20am:
Jerlun (Kedah) - 3,500 PAS supporters start to move with candidates Ismail Saleh, Abdul Ghani and Ismail Wan The. Supporters link hands to form a chain while reciting prayers.
Sungai Siput (Perak) - PSM candidateDr D Jayakumar under the PKR ticket marches with 50 PSM members and supporters to the nomination centre Kuala Kangsar municipal council.
Lembah Pantai(Kuala Lumpur) - Some 500 multiracial supporters of PKR candidate Nurul Izzah Anwar gathers at Jalan Maarof.
Bagan (Penang) - DAP sec-gen Lim Guan Eng leads a 500-strong crowd to the nomination centre, chanting “Ubah.”
Gelang Patah (Johor) - DAP candidate Lim Kit Siang arrives at the party's gathering point at Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, cheered by some 500 supporters clad in the tri-coloured yellow, green and red T-shirt bearing the word "limkitsiang2.0".
Holding DAP and Malaysian flags, they repeatedly shout, "May 5, change the government," in Mandarin.
"Let's start a clean and fair election!" says Kit Siang who gives a short speech before leading the supporters to march to the Johor Bahru Tengah City Council building nomination centre.
Leading the march is a lion dance team in orange, the Pakatan Rakyat colour. The crowd takes up two lanes of the main road Jalan Tun Teja, causing a traffic jam.
Joining Kit Siang is Johor DAP chief and the Skudai state seat candidate Dr Boo Cheng Hau. They will join with the supporters of PAS who have gathered at another point.
8.30am:
Segamat (Johor) - BN's Segamat candidate S Subramaniam and Jementah candidate Lee Hong Tee have arrived at Dataran Segamat. The crowd here has swelled to over 300 people, most of which are armed with blue BN flags.
A BN supporter, Raziah Abdul Kahir, 32, brought along her two month old baby boy.
"My husband is working but I'm here to show support," she said.
Meanwhile at Padang Bukit Hampar, Pakatan's crowd has swelled to about 200 people, all armed with their respective party flags and also backed by Himpunan Hijau activists.
Shah Alam (Selangor) - PAS and Pakatan supporters arrive and gather at the entrance to the nominations centre reserved for them. No BN supporters yet inside.
Lembah Pantai (Kuala Lumpur) - Two busloads of Raja Nong Chik supporters are seen being ferried to their gathering point near Jalan Bangkung.
Permatang Pauh (Penang) - PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim arrives with his Jelajah Merdeka bus. Supporters are lining up to welcome him. Party flags are all on standby as supporters conduct prayers before moving off.
Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) -Star Api-Api candidate Felix Chong (left) arrives with about 50 supporters bearing flags and chanting “Ini Kali Lah!” and “Autonomy!”. They march military style and follows instructions in the same style.
Also there is Star candidate Martin Ho, Chong's opponent for the state seat. A man wearing a Tatap BN shirt is asked by the EC and police to wait outside the nomination centre.
Permatang Pauh (Penang)- PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim arrives with the Jelajah Merdeka bus. Supporters are lining up to welcome him. Party flags are all on standby as supporters conduct prayers before moving off.
8.35am:
Putrajaya - PAS supporters have begun coming in droves heading to their gathering point to march with the candidate Husam Musa, while there are little signs of the BN entourage so far.
At least more than 200 PAS supporters have marched quietly in batches so far. They are carrying flags, but things have been relatively quiet thus far.
8.40am:
Sungai Siput (Perak) - Dr Michael Jeyakumar (incumbent Sungai Siput parliamentary MP who will be defending his seat under the PKR ticket), Loh Sze Yee (DAP Jalong state seat candidate) and Ahmad Mazlan Othman (PAS Lintang state seat candidate) are marching towards the nomination centre Kuala Kangsar municipal council, which is located 300 metres away.
The trio was escorted by PAS Unit Amal and are in high spirit, chanting “Long Live the People”.
Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) - Star Api-Api candidate Felix Chong arrives, to about 50 SAPP supporters bearing flags and chanting 'Ini Kali Lah!' and 'Autonomy!'
The supporters are marching in military style and appear very disciplined, obeying orders to raise flags and not drink water when told.
Also present is Star’s Likas candidate Martin Ho, who is Chong's opponent for the Likas state seat.
Meanwhile, a man wearing a Tatap BN shirt was asked by the Election Commission and police to wait outside the nomination centre.
Lanang (Sarawak) - Over 200 DAP supporters accompanied DAP's Lanang candidate Alice marching toward Sibu library which used as nomination centre for Lanang.
The group shouted slogan of "May 5, BN falls" and "Vote rocket for change".
When the group passed few BN group, both group pointed and shouted at each other, but the police officers were fast to react to stop them.
Alice Lau’s grandmother Liong Leh Ting, 78, and mother Ha Foong Yien, 51, spotted at the nomination centre to show support of Alice.
Pandan (Selangor) - Incumbent Pandan MP Ong Tee Keat is no where to be seen, but his supporters are here to root for his aide Allan Tan that is standing as an independent.
Tan tells reporters that he wanted to continue his boss' work in the area.
Teratai incumbent state assemblyperson Jenice Lee, who is not fielded by her party DAP, said she is standing as a "Pakatan-friendly independent".
Tan has about 100 supporters while Lee has about 50 in tow. There are about 400 supporters each for BN candidate Gary Lim and PKR candidate Rafizi Ramli.
8.45am:
Shah Alam (Selangor) - BN supporters arrived some 300 strong dressed in BN T-shirts and carrying BN flags, ‘Singing Inilah Barisan Kita’. On the Pakatan side, supporters swell to about the same number.
BN candidate Zulkifli Noordin arrived soon after, and was escorted inside the nomination centre along with his proposer and supporter The crowd shouted "Sayangi Selangor!" and "Yakini BN!".
Bentong (Pahang)- BN’s candidate Liow Tiong Lai and incumbent Pahang menteri besar Adnan Yackob and 700 blue T-shirt supporters reach the nomination centre by running. The supporters are in high spirits, chanting, "Ini barisan kita."
Surprisingly, Adnan chats with DAP’s newcomer and green activist Wong Tack and other Pakatan candidates. Adnan will be defending his Pelangai state seat.
8.50am:
Putrajaya - The BN entourage have gathered in huge numbers at the nomination centre, and are separated by PAS supporters who are expected to arrive soon with a distanced barricade to separate the two groups. The BN entourage are singing patriotic songs, while PAS supporters are expected to march from a mosque nearby. The BN entourage are made up of around 300 people.
Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) - BN's four candidates Chin Su Yin (Likas), Agnes Shim (Luyang), Yee Moh Chai (Api-Api) and Chin Tek Ming (Kota Kinabalu) arrive with 200 supporters in blue.
Their DAP opponents Junz Wong (Likas), Hiew King Cheu (Luyang) and Jimmy Wong (Kota Kinabalu) are already there with with about 50 supporters, with umbrellas as it is a hot day.
Although both groups are kept about 200 metres apart by the authorities, they still engage in a chanting match. The Pakatan side chants “Reformasi” to BN's “Tatap BN”.
Meanwhile, SAPP's Likas candidate Yong Teck Lee (in yellow shirt), Luyang candidate Melanie Chia and Api-Api hopeful Wong Yit Ming are also there.
Star's Micheal Chiew is also there to be nominated for the Kota Kinabalu parliamentary seat.
Independent candidate Marcel Jude Joseph hopes to try his luck in Api-Api.
Despite the raging heat of the morning sun, a fiery exchange of "Tetap BN" and "Reformasi" is taking place between BN and Pakatan supporters outside the nomination centre.
9am:
Sungai Siput (Perak) - The nomination process begins with BN-MIC’s SK Devamany submitting his nomination forms.
Interestingly former MIC chief Samy Vellu and former 30-year Sungai Siput MP is Devamany’s proposer in this straight fight with PKR-PSM’s Jayakumar.
Only a small crowd of 150 from both sides are waiting outside.
Gelang Patah(Johor) - Lim Kit Siang (Gelang Patah) and Boo Cheng Hau (Skudai) enter the nomination centre. PAS candidate Salahuddin Ayub (Nusajaya) is not there yet as he has to submit his papers for the Pulai parliamentary seat first at the Pulai nomination centre.
Seven minutes after, BN’s Abdul Ghani Othman (Gelang Patah), Zaini A Bakar (Nusajaya) and Liang Ah Chy (Skudai) also enter to submit their nomination papers.
Kit Siang shakes hands with Ghani and poses for photographs. Surprisingly an independent R Rajendran, 55, appears to submit his nomination.
The retired army sergeant says he wants to contest as the previous MP has failed to solve his problems.
Hulu Langat (Selangor) - PAS supporters are blocking PSM supporters from marching towards the nomination centre.
PSM supporters start to chant, "Whose road is this?" while party leaders negotiate with the PAS supporters, who eventually relent.
PSM sec-gen S Arutchelvan is contesting the Semenyih state seat under this constituency.
9.15am:
Lembah Pantai (Kuala Lumpur) - A trader from Bangsar, Rosli Baba (below), files his nomination papers to stand as an Independent. He said he is contesting because he is not satisfied with umno.
As a virtual unknown, will be facing an uphill task trying to convince people to vote against incumbent Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR) and Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin (BN).
Also present are observers which include Negri Sembilan Royalty Tunku Zainal Abidin who was previously reported offered to join DAP.
Sungai Siput (Perak) - The nomination process begins with SK Devamany, the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat candidate for BN, submitting his nomination forms.
It’s interestingly to see the former MIC chief S Samy Vellu, who is also the former Sungai Siput MP for 30 years, being Devamany proposer in this straight fight with Dr Michael Jayakumar from PSM, who will contest under PKR ticket.
While the supporters are waiting outside the Kuala Kangsar municipal council, the crowd size from both sides are only around 150 people.
Kluang - MCA national veep Gan Ping Sieu, who failed to become a candidate in Kluang, turns up and joins the BN crowd, marching in support of his colleague Hou Kok Choong.
Speaking to Malaysiakini, he says as a party man, he needs to give his full support for Hou.
"This is my duty to be around today... This is a very critical moment for MCA and BN.
"I am also the division leader here. I have the duty to accompany my colleagues for nomination here," said the deputy youth and sports minister in the caretaker government.
9.18am:
Kluang - As expected, DAP incumbent Mengkibol state assemblyman Ng Nam Hua has shown up at the nomination centre at Kluang to submit his nomination form to contest as an Independent.
Ng, still a DAP member, said he is ready to face whatever consequences included the party’s axe in order to get justice for himself.
"Today, my purpose to contest as an Independent is to show that it’s not fair to say I'm not working.
"I'm ready to be axed by the party. I just want to show that I'm innocent. You cannot drop me just because of some complaints that I am not working.
"They did not even send any people to my office to investigate the complaints," he told reporters.
Refuting the accusations against him, he said he has been working in Mengkibol even before he was elected in 2008.
"For the past 24 years, I have never stopped my work and service. But once I have won here, they come back (to demand the seat)," said an angry Ng.
Mengkibol is one of the state seats under the Kluang parliamentary seat. DAP will field its state youth chief Tan Hong Pin to contest there.
Jempol (Negri Sembilan) - BN’s Mohd Isa Samad (Jempol) hands in his nominations as PAS’ singer candidate Aisyah waits her turn, having a go at the breakfast prepared by the EC in the Jempol district administrative office.
9.20am:
Sungai Siput (Perak) - Jalong state seat under Sungai Siput sees a three-cornered fight as S Kalimuthu, a former Gerakan Kuala Kangsar councillor has decided to stand as an Independent.
The 53 year-old says he was fired from his former party as they want to field someone to replace him in the state seat.
He says he had contributed a lot to the local community so he has decided to stand to continue serve the people.
“I was chosen by the people, I'm the people's choice,” he said.
Permatang Pauh (Penang) - BN candidates have entered have gone into the nomination centre while Anwar and his entourage mills around.
Earlier, when Anwar approaches the centre, BN supporters shout and boo at him. Both BN and Pakatan supporters shout at each other although they are about 500 meters apart.
Anwar's supporters, about 3,000 outnumber BN's 1,000. No DAP flags are seen among the Pakatan crowd.
Later as Pakatan candidates including Anwar pass the barricades to go into the nomination centre, their supporters get into a scuffle with the police.
They shout at the police, who try to push them back from following the candidates into the centre, while the supporters shout, "The new PM must be close to the rakyat!"
The police spend 10 minutes trying to hold back the enthusiastic supporters.
Putrajaya: BN supporters are relatively quiet as their candidate Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor enters the nomination centre. It is more like picnic in the BN camp, with supporters seated and taking freebies such as fans, mini flags, water and I love PM signs.
9.25am:
Bagan (Penang) - DAP candidate Lim Guan Eng says all four party candidates for both state and parliament seats under Bagan have completed their nomination by using DAP letter of appointment.
He says the election officer has accepted the authorisation letter signed by him as the DAP seg-gen. He believes pressure from the people over the ROS move this week has made an impact to stop BN from playing dirty tricks to deny DAP the right to use their rocket logo.
He does not expect any problems in other places as the same set of rules should apply to all. For now, no DAP letter has been rejected, pending any new developments.
Lanang (Sarawak) - DAP candidate Alice Lau went into the nomination centre which located at Sibu Public Library.
Lau submit her nomination under DAP's logo, and this is approved by returning officer Hii Chang Kee.
Lau's nomination was proposed by Lawrence Hii, and seconded by Yap Hoi Liong, Dudong Adun.
Fifteen minutes later, BN candidate and four-term Lanang parliamentarian Tiong Thai King appeared at the nomination centre.
Segamat - Segamat candidates S Subramaniam (BN) and Chua Jui Meng (Pakatan) have submitted their nomination forms. State candidates for Jementah and Buloh Kasap from both coalitions have also finished submitting their forms.
Thus far, it appears that it is straight fights between BN and Pakatan in these seats as no Independents have shown up. The nomination process ends at 10am.
Outside, chants of "Ubah" and "Hidup BN" is heard as supporters from both sides continue to taunt each other.
Bentong - Pakatan and BN supporters are chanting at each other. Interestingly, Aunty Mei, who was with verbal scuffle with Adnan Yaccob earlier, shouts, "50 ringgit", alluding to the latter’s
attempt to appease her with RM50 in Kuantan before.
Aunty Mei has been trailing Adnan in Kuantan to demand an apology for the latter’s claim that the participants of the green walk had finished their journey by car.
9.50am:
Jempol (Negri Sembilan) - Unexpectedly, Jeram Padang state seat under Jempol may see a four-cornered fight with two Independents showing up with their forms.
One, R Mazavan says he wants to serve the community, and is not from any party.
Putrajaya - Supporters from both sides are quiet and hiding under their umbrellas from the scorching heat. PAS supporters clearly outnumber the BN and are drowing out the latter in their chants.
Jerlun (Kedah) - Dr Mahathir Mohamad, under heavy security escort, shows up at the nomination centre and is being warmly greeted by supporters.
Gelang Patah (Johor) - Two Pakatan Rakyat candidates - Lim Kit Siang (Gelang Patah) and Dr Boo Cheng Hau (Skudai) - enter nomination centre.
PAS candidate Salahuddin Ayub who contests both Nusajaya state seat and parliamentary seat of Pulai has yet to present as he went to Pulai nomination center first.
Seven minutes after, BN candidate for Gelang Patah Abdul Ghani Othman together with Nusajaya candidate Dr Zaini A Bakar and Skudai candidate Liang Ah Chy also entered the nomination centre to submit its nomination papers.
Kit Siang shakes hand with Ghani and pose for photograph.
Surprisingly an independent by the name of R Rajendran, 55, appears to submit his nomination.
The former army officer retired as sergeant, said he wants to contest as the previous MP failed to solve his problem.
Kit Siang reveals that he has used the DAP letter rather than the backup PAS letter prepared yesterday as contingency. However he has to wait until 10am when the nomination time ends to know whether the Election Commission (EC) will accept the authorisation letter.
"If the letter is not accepted, we will submit the authorisation letter from PAS."
Kluang (Johor) - As expected, DAP incumbent Mengkibol state assemblyman Ng Nam Hua has shown up at the nomination center at Kluang and will be submitting his nomination form to contest as an independent.
Ng, still a DAP member, said he is ready to face whatever consequences included axe by the party in order to serve himself a justice.
"Today, my purpose to contest as an independent is to show that its not fair to say I'm not working...
"I'm ready to be axed by the party. I just want to show that I'm innocent. You cannot drop me just because of some complaints that I am not working.
"They did not even send any people to my office to investigate the complaints," he told reporters.
Refuting the accusation, he said he has been working in Mengkibol even before he was elected in 2008.
"For the past 24 years, I never stop my work and service. But once I won here, they come back," said the angry Ng.
Mengkibol is one of the state seat under Kluang parliamentary seat. DAP will field its state youth chief Tan Hong Pin to contest there.
Pasir Mas (Kelantan) - Umno candidate Che Johan Che Pa fails to file his nomination papers. This means that the seat will see a one to one fight between Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali and PAS Nik Abduh Nik Aziz, who is son of Kelantan MB Nik Aziz.
Bagan (Penang) - Guan Eng has confirmed ROS has handed over another letter to him by hand, addressed to the DAP HQ to say the authorities have no objections to DAP using its logo. He believes the EC has also issued directives to all its officers over the matter.
He adds that every opponent deserves respect, even though BN’s candidates are all newbies.
10.10am:
Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) - Sabah PKR Youth chief Jafery Jomion who quit on Thursday is the nominated candidate for Star for Luyang.
"We want to represent the people... don't forget, a star is bigger than the moon," he said, referring to the Pakatan partner PAS' logo.
Putrajaya - Nominations are closed in Putrajaya. Both representatives are expected to come out soon.
A Putrajaya resident, who refuses to be identified, tells Malaysiakinithat he believes PAS really does stand a chance to win Putrajaya. "Plenty of new voters, it's 50 50," he said, judging by the huge turnout of PAS supporters.
The officer announces that two candidates will contest the Putrajaya parliamentary seat- Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor from BN who filed his nomination at 9.02am and Husam Musa of PAS who filed his nomination at 9.14am. No objections have been raised and the candidates have been finalised.
Bentong - There are 12 red helmeted Light Strike Force and 30 uniformed police in between 600 Pakatan and 700 BN supporters.
A MCA party member Wong Shu Whah said that incumbent Bentong MP Liow Tiong Lai has helped him before, so he is throwing his support behind the man.
"Last time when I was lying on bed because of an industrial accident, I have no money. Liow come to assist us and pay my bills. I thank him for that."
Segamat - Nomination officer Ismail Abu says the centre is awaiting response from the Election Commission headquarters and invites potential candidates, observers and journalists for breakfast first. They proceed to dine while awaiting the results.
Sungai Siput - “Relief! It's a big relief. That should be our right,” says the DAP Jalong state seat candidate Loh Sze Yee after the EC accepts his party logo.
”They should not do this at the last minute, it has caused a lot of headache for us,” says the Perak DAP Youth assistant secretary.
Jalong sees a straight fight between Loh and Liew Yew Aw (BN).
The nomination of Loh over the incumbent Leong Mee Meng resulted in a protest by the DAP grassroots leader and his supporters in front of Perak DAP headquarters yesterday.
Nevertheless, Loh says that is their rights to do so, but he must follow the party’s instruction to contest in Jalong.
When asked about potential sabotage from local party members, he says, “There are such rumours, everybody knows that.”
10.30am
Pandan (Selangor) - Jenice Lee, the Teratai incumbent, said that she was unhappy that the party is fielding newcomer that had never done any groundwork in the Teratai constituency.
"What I'm doing is not betrayal, because if I retain it, I'll still hand it to DAP," she said.
She notes that her supporters are chanting "Rafizi for Pandan, Jenice for Teratai".
On rumours that she has been sacked by the party for standing as an independent, she replied: "The CEC is suspended. What authority was used to sack me? I remain loyal with DAP".
Kota Melaka (Malacca) - Sim Tong Him, the incumbent, causes a stir when he is nominated to stand as an independent for Kota Laksama state assemblyperson.
This means, he is contesting as a DAP candidate for Parliament, but an independent for state. Possibly a first in Malaysia's electoral history.
Jerlun (Kedah) - Former PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad is seen shaking hands with BN supporters, leading to PAS supporters to shout ‘Reformasi’, ‘Allahuakbar’, ‘Hancur BN’ and ‘Ini Kalilah’.
Mahathir is there to support the candidacy of his son, Mukhriz, who is slated to be Kedah MB should BN retake the state.
Sungai Siput - SP Nagalingam (right), a 46-year-old Keadilan Insan Tanah Air (Kita) party member, has filed his nomination papers for the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat and Lintang state seat candidate.
This leads to three-corner fight in both Sungai Siput and Lintang. Nagalingam stresses that he is just a party member and “not from Kita”. He says the reason he wants to stand is to bring changes to Sungai Siput.
“I am a local here, I try to bring some changes, because we need change,” he says.
Nagalingam will be facing Dr Michael Jeyakumar (PSM-PKR) and SK Dewamany (BN) in Sungai Siput and facing Zolkafly Harun (BN) and Ahmad Mazlan Othman (PAS) in Lintang.
10.30am:
Permatang Pauh (Penang) - Supporters of BN and Pakatan continue to wait under the sweltering heat while shouting and singing their party slogan and songs.
BN supporters, who seem very energetic up until now, are shouting 'Hidup BN' and singing the patriotic 'Inilah Barisan Kita' song.
Pakatan supporters are having fun with shouts of "Are you ready for BN?". The reply is a resounding "No!".
Earlier, before entering the nomination centre, Anwar was asked about the impact of independent candidates making their appearances in the election this time.
"It would probably have an impact on one or two seats but not all. This is a battle mostly between BN and Pakatan," he told reporters.
"There is much interest in this polls because we are not forming an opposition coalition, but a government that can take over Putrajaya," he added.
He does not think the independents can split Pakatan's votes, saying "BN and Pakatan have their own strengths".
During this time, about 50 federal reserve units personnel stood guard at each side to maintain peace and order.
Putrajaya - Both sides cheer their candidates. Tengku Adnan however is booed by the PAS camp as he leaves. After a short press conference, both sides disperse.
Sungai Siput - Samy backs his successor SK Dewamany claiming the latter can bring development.
Speaking at the sidelines in the nomination centre, he claims that he had brought a lot of development and changes to Sungai Siput from 1974 to 2008.
“We actively realise the people's needs, not just practising the politics of talk.
“If you want to me to vote you, then what can you bring for me?” he questions Devamany’s competitor Dr Michael Jayakumar from PSM.
Samy Vellu is the proposer for Dewamany, while Sungai Siput Umno Wanita chief Sharifah Mohd Tamin is his seconder.
10.40am:
Kota Kinabalu - With no objections made, it will be a five-cornered fight in Api-Api between Christina Liew (PKR), Felix Chong (Star), Wong Yit Ming (SAPP), Yee Moh Chai (BN) and Marcel Jude Joseph (Independent).
The other state constituencies under Kota Kinabalu, Likas and Luyang will see four-cornered fights between Star, SAPP, DAP and the BN.
The parliamentary constituency will see a battle between three parties - Jimmy Wong (DAP), Michael Liew (Star) and Chin Tek Ming (BN).
10.47am:
Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) - DAP candidate for Luyang confirms that all DAP candidates in Kota Kinabalu and the three state constituencies will use the DAP logo - the rocket - and not the PKR logo.
Meanwhile, candidate announcements are met with cheers and boos by both sides.
"Please calm down," EC officer Alijus urges all.
Kluang (Johor) - Outside of Kluang nomination centre, two men are seen distributing free copies of Berita Harian among the Pakatan crowd.
However, the Pakatan supporters response it by booing them and throwing the free newspapers into a ditch by the roadside.
About 10 minutes later, a few members of the PAS Unit Amal pick up the newspapers from the ditch and scolded the supporters for littering.
Jerlun - Dr Mahathir speaking to the media, when asked says the Kedah MB candidate is BN chief Najib Razak’s decision.
“I do not know (who it will be). That is Najib’s problem. I will just follow whatever he says,” says the former PM. His son Mukhriz is touted to be the choice for MB.
When asked of Mukhriz’ chances in Ayer Hitam, he said, “It looks positive, but in an election, we can never know (the true situation).”
However he is upbeat that BN’s chances to win Kedah is “over 50 percent”.
“I feel that BN supporters today are more spirited than in the past. Their numbers are great,” he says.
“I hope when voting time comes, they will all come out. I am not voting here,” he adds.
10.54am:
Kota Kinabalu - PKR supporters loudly boo and chastise Star candidate for Luyang Jafery Jomion when his candidacy is announced. Up till Thursday, Jafery was Sabah and Kota Kinabalu PKR Youth chief.
Segamat - After a long wait, nomination officer Ismail Abu officially declares S Subramaniam (BN) and Chua Jui Meng (PKR) as candidates for the Segamat parliamentary seat, Lee Hong Tee (BN) and Tan Chen Choon (DAP) for the Jementah state seat and Norshida Ibrahim (BN) and Firdaus Masod (PAS) for the Bulok Kasap state seat. There are no third parties.
With no problems with the rocket symbol, Tan is now officially a DAP candidate.
Meanwhile three-term Subramaniam speaking to the press acknowledges that he is facing a stronger rival as Chua is a national figure.
"It is a strong competition but it will be in a friendly manner," he says.
Chua echoes this, stating that they are old friends and he had campaigned for Subramaniam before in the past.
"It will be a friendly fight and I hope the election will be held with integrity and all authorities will act impartially," says the Johor PKR chief.
11.10am:
Bentong (Pahang) - The EC officially announces DAP’s Wong Tack and BN’s Liow Tiong Lai as Bentong’s parliamentay candidates.
Bukit Bendera (Penang) - Guan Eng says he will issue a statement tomorrow pertaining to the party’s independent candidates issue, including Jenice Lee, Sim Tong Hing. But he say the usual principles should apply.
As he leaves the centre, BN supporters shout, “Liar” at him.
Jempol - EC officer Wan Razali Wan Awang announces the candidates for the parliamentary and state constituencies.
Pakatan and BN candidates will be in straight fights in Jempol, Serting, Palong and Bahau.
In Jeram Padang, Manikam Letchumanan (MIC) faces a four-cornered fight with T Kumar (PKR), R Mazavan, and Zailani Zakaria (Independent).
Zailani says she is from Umno Jeram Padang division, and is contesting because she feels a Malay leader should represent the Malay majority constituency.
Bentong (Pahang) - The EC officially announces DAP’s Wong Tack and BN’s Liow Tiong Lai as Bentong’s parliamentay candidates.
Kota Kinabalu (Sabah) - PKR candidate for Api-Api Christina Liew urges all voters to come out on polling day come rain or shine.
"I am facing a five-cornered fight and already 4,000 questionable voters have been added recently onto the roll. So I have lost these votes even before the battle starts.
"So I urge the original residents of Api-Api to come out to vote and not let these imported people determine the outcome," she said.
Meanwhile, DAP chief Jimmy Wong says Jafery Jomion contesting under Star in Luyang will impact DAP's chances there.
"Any opposition would have an impact, although not to the extent of winning. Even if he can take away 100 votes, there's an impact," he says.
While Independent candidate for Api-Api Marcel Jude Joseph, who will use the television symbol, says he is contesting because the big parties are not providing solutions to the common man's everyday problems.
"For example, Sino-Kadazans and people from mixed parentage are deprived of inheritance and get no answers to their applications for years," says the prominent Kota Kinabalu lawyer and Borneo Post columnist.
11.30am
Sungai Siput (Perak) - The nomination of SP Nagalingam to contest in Lintang is rejected on the grounds that his proposer is not a Lintang voter.
This makes the state seat under Sungai Siput a straight fight between Zolkafly Harun (BN) and Mazlan Othman (PAS).
11.35am:
Taiping (Perak) - Nizar Jamaluddin addresses around 2,000 Pakatan supporters in the heart of Taiping town, after which the crowd disperses.
Jerlun - EC officer Mokhtar Abdul Rahman announces two-cornered fights in all its seats, where in Ayer Hitam Mukhriz Mahathir will face PAS’ Abdul Ghani Ahmad.
[More to follow]