PUTRAJAYA: The Election Commission (EC) special meeting on the Pelangai state by-election has started at Menara SPR here.

The meeting chaired by EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh is to set the important dates for the by-election.

Also present were the commission's deputy chairman Dr Azmi Sharom, secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak and EC members Zoey Randhawa, Dr Mohd Faisal Syam Abdol Hazis, Datuk Nik Ali Mat Yunus and Datuk Dr Lee Bee Phang.

The Pelangai state by-election was called following the death of its incumbent Datuk Seri Johari Harun who was killed in the plane crash near Bandar Elmina, Shah Alam on Aug 17.

Nine other individuals were also killed in the incident.

On Monday, EC said it had been officially notified by Pahang State Assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin about the Pelangai seat vacancy.

Johari was also the Pahang Local Government, Housing, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman and Bentong UMNO chief.

-- BERNAMA