The Election Court has dismissed with costs a petition brought by PKR’s Wan Zawawi Wan Ismail to nullify Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub’s victory for the Machang parliamentary constituency in the 13th general election.

Judge Datuk Zamani Abdul Rahim ruled that Barisan Nasional’s Ahmad Jazlan was the rightful winner according to Section 36 (1) (a) of the Election Petition Rules 1954.

He also ordered Wan Zawawi to pay costs of RM10,000 to Ahmad Jazlan and RM30,000 to the other two respondents named in the petition namely the Election Commission (EC) and the Machang Election Returning Officer.

Ahmad Jazlan was represented by Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harum while Senior Federal Counsel Azizan Md Arshad represented the other two respondents.

During the 13th General Election Ahmad Jazlan who is also the Machang UMNO Division chief defeated Wan Zawawi with a majority of 805 votes.

On July 16 last year the same court had dismissed the petition but Wan Zawawi appealed to the Federal Court against the decision and won.