Permatang Pauh by-election (live updates)

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Polling for the Permatang Pauh-by-election closed with about 73% of the 71,252 registered voters having cast their ballots.

As at the close of polls at 5pm, voter turnout was 73.71%, according to the Election Commission.

The EC is expected to announce the result of the by-election at 9pm.

The polling stations opened at 8am with voters lining up from very early to cast their ballots.

The by-election sees a four-cornered fight between Barisan Nasional’s Suhaimi Sabudin, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Azman Shah Othman from PRM and independent Salleh Ishak.

The Permatang Pauh seat fell vacant after Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is serving a five-year jail sentence for sodomy, lost his eligibility as a Member of Parliament when the Pardons Board rejected his appeal against his conviction.

Anwar, who is PKR adviser, won the seat by a majority of 11,721 votes in the May 2013 general election.

He polled 37,090 votes to Barisan’s Mazlan Ismail who polled 25,369 votes.

The following are live updates from polling day:

8.00am: Polls opened at 25 centres in the constituency covering 28 polling districts. A total of 71,252 ordinary voters are eligible to cast their ballots. Long lines were seen at all the centres.

8.05am: Barisan Nasional candidate Suhaimi Sabudin arrived at SMK Guar Perahu to cast his vote.

Suraya Sabudin, 50, Suhaimi’s eldest sister was spotted lining up at the polling centre. Suraya, a tailor, arrived with her mother and siblings.

8.10am: Penang MCA chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun arrived at SK Seberang Jaya 2 to inspect the voting process.

"We hope the results will be better than the last general election. We would like to thank Bukit Mertajam, Nibong Tebal, Batu Kawan, Bagan, Padang Serai MCA including all other MCA branches and divisions for their help and assistance," said Chew, adding that MCA had tried its best to engage the voters in Permatang Pauh.

8.30am: Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail arrived at SK Seri Penanti with her entourage.

Among the first voters at SK Seri Penanti was senior citizen Othman Daud, 103, from Tanah Liat, who was voting for the 14th time.

Supporters of both PKR and Barisan Nasional were seen gathering near the school and trying to intimidate each other. The situation was brought under control after police personnel arrived on the scene.

9am: Turnout as of 9am is 11.3% or 8,119 voters, said the Election Commission (EC).

10am: Penang CPO Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Abdul Rahim Hanafi visited the polling centre in SMK Guar Perahu.

He urged voters of Permatang Pauh to come out earlier to exercise their voting rights to avoid traffic congestion in the later hours.

"I guarantee the safety of the people to come out and vote. Don't be afraid and don't be worried. The police are always concerned about the people's safety and ensuring order.

"Come out and vote and don't forget to bring your identification card. That’s all," he said.

Abdul Rahim also refuted allegations by several PKR members that there had been break-ins into polling centres on Wednesday night, saying that police were there to ensure everything was in order until polls opened at 8am on Thursday.

Noon: As of noon 42.93% or 30,865 voters have cast their ballots, EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said, adding that the turnout was relatively low compared to the Rompin by-election on Tuesday.

“It is still healthy at the moment if the rate continues like this, an additional 10% to 11% every hour.

"We're afraid that in the afternoon, that rate will drop. Nevertheless, the EC still targets a 80% voter turnout.

"We hope to announce the results of the Permatang Pauh by-election by 9pm," he said.

Abdul Aziz added that party supporters in the constituency were slightly more aggressive compared to Rompin, citing incidents where supporters taunted and even threw chairs at each other.

1pm: So far 49.73% or 35,752 voters have cast their ballots, the EC said.

Some roads leading to polling centres are congested as voters took advantage of the lunch hour to cast their ballots.

3pm: Voter turnout as of 3pm is 63.06% with some 45,333 voters having cast their ballots, says EC.

4pm: Voter turnout as of 4pm is 69% with some 49,334 voters having cast their ballots, says EC.

5pm: Polling closes at all 25 centers in the constituency.

5.45pm: Voter turnout as of 5pm is 73.71% with 52,983 voters having cast their ballots, says EC.

Police closing the gates to a polling centre in Permatang Pauh.