Charismatic Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim has won a by-election for a parliamentary seat with a landslide victory in a grand political comeback to help him prepare for his eventual takeover from Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
The Election Commission said Saturday that Anwar received 31,016 votes, defeating six other candidates. His closest rival secured only 7,456 votes.
Anwar will be sworn in as a lawmaker on Monday.
Anwar was designated as successor to Mahathir after the two men set aside a bitter feud and joined hands to capture a stunning victory in May’s general election.
Anwar couldn’t participate in the election due to a sodomy conviction he alleged was politically motivated, but he received a royal pardon days after the polls.
Voting has begun in a by-election is expected to see charismatic Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim win a parliamentary seat and prepare for his eventual takeover from Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
Anwar is the designated successor to former foe-turned ally Mahathir, after they set aside a bitter political feud and joined hands to win a stunning victory in May’s general elections.
Anwar couldn’t participate in the polls due to a 2015 conviction for sodomy he alleged was politically motivated, but he received a royal pardon days after the polls.
Thousands of voters flocked Saturday to polling stations in the southern coastal town of Port Dickson, where Anwar is vying for a seat along with six other candidates. He is expected to easily win.
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