EC reported a 63% turnout for early voting conducted at three venues for the PD by-election.

Voter numbers see large decline since general election

PORT DICKSON: The Election Commission has reported a 63% turnout for early voting conducted at three venues for the Port Dickson by-election.

This was significantly lower than the May 9 general election, where voter turnout was 90%.

There are 7,268 police, armed forces personnel and their spouses registered as early voters here.

Of the number, 6,636 are armed forces personnel and their spouses. The remainder are police personnel.

However, of the grand total, 77 have opted to use postal votes to cast their ballots, which was held at the Army Basic Training Centre, Segenting Camp and the Port Dickson district police station.

Postal voting began at 8am and ended at 5.30pm.

EC chairman Azhar Azizan Harun and his team came to monitor the voting exercise.

Earlier, Azhar advised all parties to rely on information only from the commission to prevent confusion.

“This morning (Oct 9), I was told that the armed forces had issued a statement, claiming there are some 5,600 army voters.

“There are actually 6,690 registered army voters at these camps, and this includes the 54 who will use postal votes,” he added.

Azhar said the figures were based on the commission’s electoral roll, which was gazetted in the second quarter of this year.

“The roll was verified on Sept 11,” he added.

The by-election is a seven-cornered fight involving Pakatan Harapan candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, PAS’ Lt Col (Rtd) Mohd Nazari Mokhtar and independents Tan Sri Isa Samad, Lau Seck Yan, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, Stevie Chan Keng Leong and Kan Chee Yuen.

The Port Dickson parliamentary by-election was held after its incumbent Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, 68, vacated the seat on Sept 12 to give way to Anwar to return to the Dewan Rakyat.

The Port Dickson parliamentary constituency has 75,770 registered voters in this by-election, and they comprise 43% Malays, Chinese (33%), Indian (22%) and other races (2%).

Ballot head start: EC officials taking away sealed ballot boxes after early voting at the PD district police station. (Below) A soldier carrying his child while lining up for early voting at the Army Basic Training Centre at Segenting Camp.