Police are satisfied with the smooth running of the polling process of the Sungai Bakap state by-election today.

Penang police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said that the voting process, which began at 8 am and concluded at 6 pm, went smoothly without any untoward incidents.

“So far, no police report has been lodged by any individual or party regarding any violation of the voting process or the by-election.

“Overall, we are satisfied with the smooth running of the polling process today and also the campaign period from June 22 until last night, with no untoward incidents occurring,’ he said when contacted by Bernama.

He said 800 police officers and personnel were on duty during polling day today and will continue to monitor the situation to maintain security until the vote-tallying process at Dewan Serbaguna Jawi, Taman Desa Jawi here is concluded.

The polling process involving 39,151 registered voters was held under good weather conditions at all 65 streams of the nine polling centres.

Meanwhile, Hamzah a
gain reminded political party supporters not to hold any celebratory rallies or cause any provocation ahead of the announcement of the Sungai Bakap by-election results tonight.

He said gatherings or rallies at any location after the official vote-tallying and by-election result announcement are not permitted.

“As for the winners, don’t resort to extraordinary celebrations, rallies are not allowed… celebrate victory prudently, adhere to the rules stipulated by the authorities,’ he said.

The by-election is a straight fight between Pakatan Harapan candidate Dr Joohari Ariffin and Perikatan Nasional’s Abidin Ismail. The seat fell vacant after the demise of incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff of PAS on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency