GEORGETOWN: A total of 800 police personnel will be stationed in Sungai Bakap here today to ensure the by-election runs smoothly.
Penang police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad, said extensive operational tasks have been planned and organised to ensure smoothness and safety throughout the election.
"Police have divided tasks into two major scopes, one involving requests by the Election Commission (EC) and secondly to ensure the safety of the Sungai Bakap community.
"On candidate nomination day (today), a total of 800 police personnel will be deployed, including 12 Cantas/Pemantau teams to ensure its smooth conduct," he said in a statement here.
Hamzah further added that they had also met with representatives of the political parties to discuss security issues, traffic control, and road closure locations.
He urged the public to cooperate and abide by the laws and regulations in force during the campaign period until the end of the election to prevent any unwanted incidents.
"This is to ensure that no undesired incidents occur.
"All political parties involved in this election are advised to comply with all rules and regulations, and ensure safety and traffic control throughout the election process," he added.
According to Hamzah, for the latest information on the Sungai Bakap by-election, the public is advised to check the voter list, candidates, and election results via MySPR Semak.
He also added that police have set up a special hotline for inquiries during the election period, namely the Penang Contingent Control Centre (CCC) (04-2643122) and the South Seberang Perai District Control Centre (DCC) (04-5820184).
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Meteorological Department, through a Facebook post, issued a forecast of rain in Sungai Bakap in the morning, while thunderstorms and no rain are expected in the afternoon and evening.
The Sungai Bakap by-election will be held following the death of its incumbent, Nor Zamri Latiff, on May 24 due to abdominal inflammation.
In the Penang state election last August, Nor Zamri, who was also the PAS Nibong Tebal Chief, defeated the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Nurhidayah Che Rose with a majority of 1,563 votes.