EC hopes for 75%-85% voter turnout in Balakong

It says polling hours will be extended until 5.30pm to encourage a high voter turnout.

Balakong by-elections candidates Wong Siew Ki and Tan Chee Teong.

BANGI: The Election Commission (EC) expects a 75%-85% voter turnout for the Balakong by-election on Sept 8.

EC secretary Mohamed Elias Abu Bakar said polling hours would be extended until 5.30pm to encourage voters to fulfil their duty.

The Chinese-majority state seat which has 61,219 constituents fell vacant after its assemblyman Eddie Ng was killed in a car crash last month.

Mohamed Elias reminded party supporters that they were not allowed to utilise social media to sway voters on polling day.

“Any form of social media applications including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are prohibited,” he told reporters during a press conference at the Demesne main hall at the Hulu Langat District and Land Office.

On the length of the campaign period, which runs for 21 days, Mohamed Elias said this was because there were many public holidays ahead such as Hari Raya Haji and Merdeka Day.

“These public holidays are bound to be an inconvenience for the candidates’ campaigning activities.

“That is why we decided to extend the campaign period.

“Some agreed, some did not. But we cannot please everybody and we think that this is fair for the candidates,” he said when met later.

In the 14th general election, DAP’s Ng obtained 41,768 votes while MCA’s Lim Chee Wah received 5,874 votes and PAS’ Mohamad Ibrahim Ghazali got 6,230 votes.

In the Sept 8 by-election, MCA’s Tan Chee Teong will challenge DAP’s Wong Siew Ki. -FMT