SHAH ALAM: Election Commission (EC) deputy chairman Tan Sri Othman Mahmood today expressed dissatisfaction over the lower than expected turnout for the Sungai Kandis by-election.
He said only 49.8 per cent of registered voters cast their votes today.
“The voting process went on smoothly today. It saw a 49.8 per cent turnout. This is however not the official figure since we are still waiting for the final figure on voters,” he said at the voting centre in Seksyen 19, here, today.
He said it was one of the lowest turnouts since the 12th General Election.
“Penanti by-election (in 2009) after the 12th General Election recorded 46 per cent voter turnout, while Chempaka by-election(in 2015) after the 13th General Election saw a 55 per cent voter turnout.
“Many factors could have led to this poor turnout. One of them is the voters’ mood. I am not satisfied with this turnout since the EC had taken various initiatives in the run-up to the by-election.”
Othman will announce the Sungai Kandis results later tonight.
Polling for the Sungai Kandis by-election closed officially at 5.30pm.
The EC had targeted a voter turnout of 80 per cent. The by-election is being held at a cost of RM1.4 million.