KLUANG: Despite heavy rain and thunderstorms, numerous last-minute voters in Mahkota braved the weather to cast their ballots just before the 6pm deadline today.
Undeterred by the downpour, voters equipped with umbrellas and raincoats made their way to polling stations with less than 30 minutes to spare.
All 20 polling stations, comprising 109 voting channels, are set to close simultaneously at 6pm.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) had earlier issued warnings for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds across Johor, including in Tangkak, Segamat, Muar, Batu Pahat, Kluang, Mersing, Pontian, and Kulai.
The rain began to pour heavily at 4pm.
The Election Commission (EC) recorded a turnout of 47.16 per cent at 4pm, with over 60,000 Mahkota voters expected to cast their ballots. It is targeting a 60 per cent turnout.
EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said the results of the Mahkota by-election are expected to be announced at 9pm at Dewan Tunku Ibrahim Ismail.
In today's straight fight, Barisan Nasional's (BN) candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah faces off against Perikatan Nasional's (PN) candidate Mohamad Haizan Jaafar.
The by-election follows the passing of the previous Mahkota assemblywoman, the late Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, who secured the seat with a 5,166-vote majority during the Johor state election two years ago.