JUDGMENT

Abdul Hamid Mohamad FCJ:

In the general election for the Parliamentary constituency of Bukit Bintang held on 21 March 2004, the first respondent was returned with a majority of 304 votes. On 29 April 2004 the appellant (petitioner in the High Court) filed an election petition, praying primarily for the following declarations that:

1. the election was void; and

2. the first respondent was not duly elected or ought not to have been returned.

Both the prayers are based on s. 35(a) and (b) of the Election Offences Act 1954 ( "the Act ").

According to the notes of evidence, counsel for the respective parties appeared before the learned Election Judge on 28 May 2004 for what appears to be for case management. The respective counsel informed the learned judge of the number of witnesses they intended to call at the trial. Encik Amarjeet Singh, the senior federal counsel appearing for the second and third respondents also informed the court that there would be " some preliminary objections ". The learned judge fixed the dates for the trial of the petition. The learned judge also directed learned counsel for the parties to file written submissions on the preliminary objections by ce