Abu Backer Sidek Mohamad Zan, who was an aspiring candidate for the Kuala Kangsar by-election, said his nomination form was not rejected and that he had only torn up the document out of frustration.

He said reports that his nomination paper was rejected by returning officer Mior Muhammad Jamil Mior Zakaria were inaccurate.

"The reason I tore the forms, which include Borang A and statutory declaration in Borang 5, apart was because I was frustrated with the treatment I received from the Election Commission (EC) that I interpreted as rude and 'mistreatment' and it was not because my nomination paper had been rejected," he said in a letter to Malaysiakini.

Clarifying the matter, Abu Backer said his proposer and seconder were not allowed into the nomination centre.

"I had only affirmed the statutory declaration and verified a bankers' cheque but later decided not to submit the nomination paper since my proposer and seconder were unable to be present at the nomination centre due to restriction by the police officers outside the nomination centre.

"I firmly state herewith that the reason I have not submitted the nomination paper was because I was mistreated and/or rudely entertained by the EC and that I demanded for justice," he said.

Abu Backer was at the nomination centre during the Kuala Kangsar by-election on June 5 but did not become a candidate after tearing up his nomination form.

There were four candidates for the by-election, namely BN's Mastura Md Yazid, PAS' Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad, Parti Amanah Negara's Ahmad Termizi Ramli and independent candidate Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary.

Polling is set for tomorrow.