NIBONG TEBAL – Voter turnout in the Sg Bakap by-election reached 57.77% as of 4pm, according to the Election Commission (EC).
This represents a notable improvement from the slower turnout observed around noon, where the rate reached only 38% as of 1pm.
The by-election is seeing a straight contest between Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Joohari Ariffin of PKR and Perikatan Nasional’s Abidin Ismail of PAS.
The poll was triggered by the death of former PAS assemblyman Nor Zamri Latiff on May 24.
Zamri secured the seat in last year’s Penang state election with a majority of 1,563 votes against PH’s Nurhidayah Che Rose.
Earlier today, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who is also the state PH chief, said the ruling coalition hoped for a turnout of 65% to ensure its chances of winning the state seat.
Joohari said he was optimistic of winning, and also hoped for support from Umno voters here, thus reversing the voting trend in last year’s state election where Umno supporters backed the PAS candidate. – July 6, 2024