SUNGAI BAKAP, July 6 — Voters in Sungai Bakap, Penang, are casting their ballots today in a by-election to elect a new state assemblyman. The by-election was necessitated by the death of the incumbent, Nor Zamri Latiff of PAS, on May 24 due to illness. The contest is a direct fight between Joohari Ariffin from the ruling Pakatan Harapan (PKR) and Abidin Ismail from the opposition Perikatan Nasional (PAS).
With 39,279 registered voters and 57 police personnel voting by postal ballots, as of 3 pm, the Election Commission reported a 51.3 per cent voter turnout. Nine voting centres are open from 8 am to 6 pm, and results are expected by 10 pm. The outcome will not impact the control of the Penang assembly, as the PH and its partner BN hold a supermajority with 29 out of 40 seats.
