NIBONG TEBAL, July 6 — The voter turnout for the Sungai Bakap state by-election has reached 51.32% as of 3pm today, according to the Election Commission (SPR). Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has urged voters to come out and exercise their rights, aiming for a turnout of 65% or higher to support the unity government candidate, Joohari Ariffin.
Nine polling stations with 65 voting streams opened at 8am and will close at 6pm, with vote tallying set to take place at the Jawi Multipurpose Hall. The by-election, triggered by the death of incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff due to stomach inflammation on May 24, sees Joohari Ariffin contesting against Perikatan Nasional’s Abidin Ismail. In the previous state election, Nor Zamri defeated PH candidate Nurhidayah Che Rose by a majority of 1,563 votes.
