Mahkota polls: Early voter turnout at 35% as of 10am Sept 24

KLUANG: The turnout for early voting in the Mahkota by-election stands at 35.47% as of 10am Tuesday (Sept 24).

Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said he was confident that early voting turnout would exceed 90% by the time it closes at 5pm.

“The turnout rate at this hour is higher than in the (previous Johor state election) when the turnout for early voting was only 18.6% at 10am.

“Looking at the current trend and good weather, I think we can see a turnout of more than 90%,” he told reporters after inspecting the early voting centre in Kem Mahkota here.

He added that the process at all three centres – Dewan Mahkota in Kem Mahkota, Dewan Pengaman Zamrud Taman Perumahan at the Kluang district headquarters and SK Sultan Sir Ibrahim – has been smooth so far.

“On the actual polling day this Saturday (Sept 28), we hope to see as many voters as possible coming out to fulfil their responsibilities as citizens.

“In Nenggiri, we saw a rate of more than 70% and we hope the turnout in Mahkota will exceed that,” he added.

Early voting for Mahkota involves 4,911 voters – 4,510 army personnel and their spouses as well as 401 policemen.

The state seat by-election sees a straight fight between Barisan Nasional candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah, 40, and Perikatan Nasional’s Mohamad Haizan Jaafar, 61.

It was called following the death of Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, 63, on Aug 2.