YAN, Nov 4 — Polling for the Sungai Limau by-election kicked off under clear skies at 8am this morning at 17 polling centres here.
As at 3pm, a total of 20,876 or 76.69 per cent of voters had cast their ballots for the polls, the nation's second by-election since Election 2013 on May 5.
Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said the turnout in the first hour had been very encouraging and a steady stream is expected over the day.
“The selection of November 4 (today) as polling day was the best for everybody,” he was quoted by Bernama as saying, in reply to criticisms against the commission for allegedly disregarding voters living outside the constituency.
A total 27,222 voters here have until 5pm to cast their votes today in an election that observers have described as a litmus test for the leadership of newly-installed Mentri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and PAS’s waning influence in the rice bowl state of Kedah.
PAS candidate Mohd Azam Abdul Samat cast his vote at the SK Bukit Besar at around 8.30am.
As he entered the polling centre, he spoke to voters and introduced himself as one of the candidates.
“I hope all voters will come out early to cast their votes as it looks like it will rain in the afternoon and God willing, everything will go smoothly,” he told the media after casting his vote.
Mohd Azam will be making his rounds at the polling centres here throughout the day.
Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Dr Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim has cast his vote at SK Dulang Kecil.
Mukhriz will also be visiting the polling centres here.
Outside the polling centres, PAS and BN supporters have gathered, sometimes alongside each other, peacefully.
MORE TO COME
