Nenggiri By-election: EC Expects More Than 60 Per Cent Voter Turnout Tomorrow

GUA MUSANG, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- The Election Commission (SPR) expects the voter turnout for the Nenggiri state by-election tomorrow to reach 60 per cent.

EC Secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak said the results are expected to be announced at 9 pm the earliest. There are 20,259 registered voters in the Nenggiri constituency.

He said preparations for the voting process at all the  20 Voting District Centers are going smoothly and a total of 431 EC workers have been appointed to ensure smooth polling.

 "Two helicopters and 40 four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles will be used to move the ballot boxes from the 20 polling stations to the vote-tallying centre for smooth vote tallying process," he said when met by reporters after inspecting the preparations at the vote tallying Centre at Dewan Perdana, Perdana Complex, Gua Musang District Council, here, today.

Ikmalrudin urged voters to cast their votes within the designated times to avoid overcrowding and to bring along their identification cards.

He recommended that they also check their voting times as there will be six polling stations that will close early.

The Nenggiri by-election was called following the vacancy of the seat, as announced by Kelantan State Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah on June 19, after the former incumbent, Mohd Azizi Abu Naim lost his Bersatu membership on June 13.

The by-election sees a straight fight between BN candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani, also known as Awie, representing the Unity Government, and PAS candidate Mohd Rizwadi Ismail, representing Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Meanwhile, in a statement issued later, Ikmalrudin reminded employers to allow a reasonable period for employees who are registered voters in the Nenggiri constituency to go to the polls tomorrow as provided under the Election Offences Act 1954.

He also reminded the 20,216 ordinary voters to always comply with the rules set by the EC.

"The use of mobile phones by voters at the polling channel is not allowed. Those who bring along their mobile phones are required to leave them at designated places after receiving the ballot paper and take it back after voting," he said in a statement.

He said voters entering the polling stations are prohibited from wearing clothes or accessories or carrying materials that display names, emblems, symbols, or any campaign material related to political ideologies.

  "Their failure to comply with the stipulated rules may result in them being barred from entering the polling station by election officials," he said.

Ikmalrudin said the EC hoped that all parties would comply with the stipulated laws and regulations to ensure a smooth election process.

He also reminded the contesting parties that the official campaigning period will end at 11.59 pm today.

"By then, all parties must stop any form of campaigning activities as well as canvassing for votes, including outside polling stations and also through social media channels such as Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, Tik-Tok and others," he said.

He said the contesting parties or candidates are also prohibited from opening and building 'barung' (party booths) tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA