EC satisfied with highest by-election turnout since GE14

CAMERON POLLS | The Election Commission is satisfied with the 69.79 percent voter turnout for the Cameron Highlands by-election today.

EC chief Azhar Azizan Harun said he was only 1.2 percent off his target of a 70 percent turnout.

"I think many outside voters did not come back, (but) 68.79 percent is the highest voter turnout compared to the four previous by-elections.

"I am very satisfied with that percentage," he told reporters in Tanah Rata tonight.

Turnout for by-elections last year was poor, with the highest being 58.25 percent in Port Dickson on Oct 13.

Only 49.8 percent voted in Sungai Kandis on Aug 4, and only 43 percent and 44.1 percent of voters on cast their ballots on Aug 8 in Balakong and Seri Setia respectively.

Azhar said the high turnout today could in part be attributed to the showdown between the Pakatan Harapan federal government and the BN Pahang state government in Cameron Highlands.

Today's by-election was won by BN candidate Ramli Mohd Nor, who beat Harapan's M Manogaran with a 3,238-vote majority.

Independent candidates Wong Seng Yee and Sallehudin Ab Talib garnered 276 votes and 314 votes respectively.  - Mkini