NIBONG TEBAL: The Election Commission (EC) has urged the over 39,000 registered voters to come out early to vote in tomorrow's Sungai Bakap by-election.
EC secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak said the focus on by-elections was usually different from that of other elections.
"So, we urge all voters to come out to vote, and if possible, come at the suggested time to prevent large crowds.
"However, we do not prevent them from coming at other times, as we understand some may have to bring along their parents.
"But what is important is that they come out to vote during the stipulated time from 8am to 6pm.
"Don't come at 5.59pm as you will not be on time to vote. We want to prevent this kind of thing," he told newsmen when met at the Jawi Multipurpose Hall here today, the official vote counting centre for the Sungai Bakap by-election.
He was here to monitor the preparations for tomorrow's by-election to ensure everything goes as planned.
Meanwhile, Ikmalrudin said the campaign period, from nomination day on June 22 until today, was incident-free.
"Alhamdullilah, based on the report we received, there were only minor incidents such as parties placing posters at prohibited areas, such as blocking the traffic or in private property of schools.
"I want to thank all voters and supporters of political parties for adhering to the rules and regulations of the running of the by-election," he added.
There will be a total of nine voting centres involving 65 streams for tomorrow's voting process.
More than 500 EC personnel are on-duty throughout the by-election process.
The Sungai Bakap by-election sees a straight fight between Pakatan Harapan's Dr Joohari Ariffin and Perikatan Nasional's Abidin Ismail.
In the state elections last year, Pas' Nor Zamri Latiff defeated PKR's Nurhidayah Che Rose with a majority of 1,563 votes.
His passing on May 24 triggered the by-election.