NIBONG TEBAL: The Sungai Bakap by-election today will be overseen by 552 Election Commission (EC) workers, with some 800 policemen deployed to maintain public order.
EC secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak said nine polling centres will be open from 8am to 6pm for 39,151 eligible voters.
There will be 65 polling streams, he said, and the vote tallying will take place at the Jawi Multipurpose Hall in Taman Desa Jawi here.
“Preparations are complete and we have received good cooperation from various parties. Ballot boxes, inks, ballot papers and logistics are all in place.
“Voters are advised to vote according to the recommended time as stated on the MySPR Semak app or according to the gazetted polling centre’s schedule.
“Do not wait until the last minute to cast your ballot,” Ikmalrudin said yesterday.
Perikatan Nasional candidate Abidin Ismail, 56, is engaged in a straight fight with Pakatan Harapan’s Dr Joohari Ariffin, 60.
The by-election is being held following the death of incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.
Historically a stronghold of Barisan Nasional, the seat was held by Gerakan from 1974 to 2004, followed by Umno until 2008.
In 2008, Pakatan Rakyat’s Datuk Maktar Shapee of PKR wrested the seat from Barisan and successfully defended it in 2013, before party colleague Datuk Amar Pritmal Abdullah succeeded him in 2018 under the Pakatan Harapan banner.
PKR’s three-term reign came to an end in the state elections last year, as Norhidayah Che Ros lost the seat to the late Nor Zamri by a 1,563 majority.
Sungai Bakap is one of three state seats under the Nibong Tebal parliamentary constituency, alongside Jawi and Sungai Acheh.
In this by-election, only Abidin will vote at SK Sungai Duri, as Joohari is registered to vote in the Sungai Acheh state constituency.
Today’s by-election marks the eighth since the 15th General Election.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department forecasts rain in the morning but expects fine weather in the afternoon, with temperatures ranging from 26°C to 33°C.
