JOHOR BARU: The Election Commission (EC) recorded a low voter turnout today at both Pulai and Simpang Jeram by-elections here and in Muar respectively.
Its chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh said the Pulai parliamentary constituency recorded a voter turnout of 33 per cent, while Simpang Jeram state assembly had recorded 44 per cent, as at 2pm.
He attributed heavy downpour for the low turnout in Pulai. In Simpang Jeram there is forecast of thunderstorms but so far the weather is fine.
"EC is still aiming for a 70 per cent voter turnout today," he said.
In the Pulai parliamentary seat by-election, Pakatan Harapan's Suhaizan Kaiat, Perikatan Nasional's Zulkifli Jaafar, and independent candidate Samsudin Mohaman Fauzi will square-off.
In Simpang Jeram, Nazri Abdul Rahman (PH), Dr. Mohd Mazri Yahya and Independent candidate S. Jeganathan, will vie for the state seat.
The by-election in Pulai and Simpang Jeram was triggered following the demise of its incumbent Datuk Seri Salehuddin Ayub who passed away on July 23. The 61-year-old died of brain haemorrhage.