Heavy police presence at polling stations

SHAH ALAM: At least 32 officers and cops will be on duty at each polling station during the Sungai Kandis by-election today.

Shah Alam police chief Assistant Commissioner Baharuddin Mat Taib said they comprised policemen, traffic police and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers.

“We have enough manpower for the by-election tomorrow (today).

“We have the MySecurity Package (made up of officers from the police, traffic police and the CID).

“At least 1,200 police personnel will be deployed. They will be on duty at each polling centre. We are prepared for polling day. Safety (of the public) is our priority. We will conduct a rehearsal today (yesterday) for the by-election,” he said here yesterday.

Baharuddin said the personnel were tasked to ensure public’s safety at polling centres, as well as to monitor traffic and escort the ballot boxes to the centres.

“CID officers will be on the lookout for any criminal elements. We have officers from the Special Branch deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

“Apart from that, we’ll be receiving reinforcement from Bukit Aman (federal police headquarters) and the police Air Wing Unit. Drones will be used to monitor the situation.

“Traffic flow will be controlled from 9am to 5.30pm.”

Baharuddin advised supporters of candidates in the by-election to act in accordance with the law and to refrain from causing chaos, especially at voting centres.

He advised voters to not share their identification card with anyone except the Election Commission officers.

“Leave early to vote and park your vehicles at the designated areas. Do not provoke anyone. The public are prohibited from flying drones at the polling stations,” he added.

The by-election will see a threecornered fight between PKR, Barisan Nasional and independent candidate, K. Murthy.