Teluk Intan by-election: Voting ends with 66pc turnout
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TELUK INTAN: The 35 polling centres for the parliamentary by-election here closed at 5pm with 39,850 (66.5 per cent turnout) people having cast their ballots.
The result of the count, which is now underway, is expected to be known by 9pm.
The by-election is a two-way fight between Barisan Nasional candidate, Gerakan president Datuk Mah Siew Keong, and DAP's Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud, the political secretary to party adviser Lim Kit Siang.
Voting begins at 8am at 35 polling centres.
The seat was left vacant after its incumbent, DAP's Seah Leong Peng, passed away earlier this month due to cancer.
Perak Election Commission (EC) chief Ahmad Adli Abdullah said counting of votes will start soon after polling centres close at 5pm, and the result was expected to be announced as early as 9pm.
The constituency has 59,927 voters, comprising 42% Chinese, 38% Malay, 19% Indian and the rest, others.
Live updates
5pm: The 35 polling centres close and the counting starts. Voter turnout of 66.5 per cent (39,850). Result expected to be known by 9pm.
4.40pm: Some 38,158 voters or 63.67% have cast their ballots as of 4pm.
2.43pm: As at 2pm, some 31,286 voters or 52.21% have voted. - EC
2.30pm: More than 70% of Chinese voters in the constituency are expected to cast their vote when polling closes at 5pm, said MCA deputy president Dr Wee .
He said it was obvious the community wanted to see Barisan bring changes to Teluk Intan, and especially to resolve local issues.
To a question if high Chinese voter turnout, especially those from outstation which may work against Barisan, he said the coalition still had to work hard to woo voters and MCA needed to call every voter who has yet to cast their vote.
2.20pm: Teluk Intan MCA chief Datuk Seri Kuan Peng Soon, 69, arrives at SM Convent to cast his vote.
2.08pm: MCA deputy president Datuk Wee Ka Siong arrives near the SJKC San Min polling centre, joins in the whistle war, which has progressed into one of horns.
Dr Wee listening to campaigners at SJK (C) San Min.
1.30pm: About 46.65% of voters have cast their ballots as at 1pm. - EC
12.50pm: Perak MCA chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon describes the polling process at SJK (C) Batu 12 as peaceful so far, except for a case whereby a voter claimed his wife was told not to vote for Barisan to prevent a hike in the water tariff. Dr Mah said the voter and his wife should lodge a police report. Dr Mah and Teluk Intan MCA chairman Datuk Seri Kuan Peng Soon were at the polling station to give support to Barisan campaigners. MIC president Palanivel was also present.
(From left) MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel, Perak MCA chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and Teluk Intan MCA chairman Datuk Seri Kuan Peng Soon at the SJK (C) Batu 12 polling station
12.40pm: 40.13% or 24,050 voters have cast their votes as at noon - EC
12.35pm: Dyana Sofya arrives at SMK Seri Perak. She chats with EC chairman Abdul Aziz and Perak police chief Senior Deputy Commissioner Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani before checking on the voting process.
Dyana Sofya (middle) checking on the polling station with SPR officers at SMK Seri Perak.
12.20pm: Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan arrives at the SK Kampung Bahagia polling station to boost the morale of Barisan supporters stationed near the school.
Abdul Aziz (left) meeting voters at SMK Seri Perak
11.50am: 32.55% or 19,508 voters have cast their votes as at 11am. EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof arrives at the polling station at SMK Seri Perak to observe the running of the voting process.
11.45am: MIC president Datuk Seri G. Palanivel arrives at the polling centre at SMK Seri Perak and mingles with the crowd.
11.30am: Mah makes a brief stopover at the SK Kampung Bahagia polling station. Barisan supporters lift him up in the air and takes photos with him.
Both Mah and his wife Datin Yeoh Pooi Hoon cast their ballots at SMK Sultan Abdul Aziz before leaving the school to visit other polling centres.
10.45am: As at 10am, 22.95% or 13,754 voters have cast their votes, says EC.
10.30am: Voters have been trickling into the SJK (C) Batu 12 polling station in the Batu 12 New Village since 8am. A DAP campaigner said the majority of the Chinese voters in the village were farm workers and could cast their votes only after finishing work at noon. There are 1,723 voters in the polling station and 864 are Chinese.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Zambry Kadir meeting with some of the voters at SMK Seri Perak during the by-election in Teluk Intan.
10.20am Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir arrives at SMK Seri Perak and meet supporters and voters.
He tells reporters that the situation at all 35 polling stations is under control and that from the report he has received, voting was being carried out smoothly.
"There are no untoward incidents for the moment, but maybe one or two stations require more police personnel to control the area due to it being congested.
"This is due to more voters registered there, and with supporters from both sides outside the polling stations.
"Due to this, police need to ensure traffic is moving, there is no congestion, and there is no provocation from both sides," he told reporters outside the polling station at SMK Seri Perak in Taman Cicely here.
"I am happy with the progress of the voting process so far," he added.
9.45am: Outstation voters are making a beeline to cast their votes, with a steady stream of cars bearing outstation registration plates either heading towards Teluk Intan or Bidor town along the 40km stretch connecting the two places. The majority of the car plates are Federal Territory and a few Singapore registered ones.
9.43am: Some 11.8% of voters cast their ballots between 8am and 9am, the Election Commission said.
Mah about to cast his vote at MK Sultan Abdul Aziz
9.20am: Mah to hold press conference at the media centre in UKM Teluk Intan campus at noon.
9.13am: Both Mah and his wife Datin Yeoh Pooi Hoon cast their ballots at SMK Sultan Abdul Aziz before leaving the school to visit other polling centres.
9.08am: Gerakan president Mah arrives at SMK Sultan Abdul Aziz to cast his ballot.
Barisan Nasional supporters gathering outside SMK Seri Perak
8.50am: Barisan Nasional supporters are gathering outside SMK Seri Perak with "I love BN" banners. They’re seen helping the old to get on wheelchairs, into cars and leading them to the polling centre, and shouting "Undi BN" as cars pass by.
8.30am: Dyana Sofya leaves SJKC San Min after saying that everything was running smoothly at the polling station.
8.19am: Dyana Sofya enters polling station. Meanwhile, at SMK Seri Perak, the crowd builds up. Election Commission workers provide wheelchairs for the aged.
Dyana Sofya visiting a polling centre in Teluk Intan,Perak.
8.12am: Dyana Sofya arrives. Traffic is almost at a standstill as curious onlookers slow down to catch a glimpse of her. Speaking to reporters briefly, Dyana Sofya admits to not being able to sleep due to nervousness last night. "It's a beautiful day. Let's wait and see what the rakyat will say," she said when asked about her chances of winning the by-election.
8.10am: The crowd is getting bigger and the skies are cloudy; voters are anticipating the arrival of DAP candidate Dyana Sofya Daud at the polling station. The area was once considered a Barisan stronghold.
8am: Voters begin polling at SJKC San Min in the town centre. DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng arrives a few minutes later and motorists slow down to catch a glimpse of the Penang Chief Minister.
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