Low voter turnout in Sungai Kandis by-election

Unlike during the May 9 polls, voting centres were not crowded.

Sungai Kandis, which is part of the Kota Raja parliamentary seat, includes parts of Klang and Shah Alam.

SHAH ALAM: Only 45% of voters had turned out to vote today in the Sungai Kandis by-election as of 4pm, the Election Commission (EC) has confirmed.

This is a little more than half of what the EC originally projected this morning. They had predicted an 80% turnout in today’s by-election, which is the first in the country after the May 9 general election.

Polling ends at 5.30pm.

FMT surveys from early morning today to noon found several voting centres were quiet and the roads were not crowded.

Voter Ramadhan Yapa, 52, told FMT it may be because many could be working today or working a half-day shift.

Other residents FMT spoke to said the atmosphere was not the same as it was during the 14th general election.

A total of 19 voting centers with 109 channels for Sungai Kandis state constituency opened at 8am today for the 51,217 registered voters.

Results are expected to be announced at 10pm.

Today’s by-election sees a three-cornered clash between PKR candidate Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni, Barisan Nasional candidate Lokman Noor Adam and independent candidate K Murthy.

Sungai Kandis is part of the Kota Raja parliamentary seat. The Selangor state constituency includes parts of Klang and Shah Alam.

Some 72% of the voters are Malays. - FMT