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Tanjung Piai polling time extended to 5.30 pm

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Azhar Azizan Harun

PONTIAN: The Election Commission (EC) has made several improvements to the polling process in the Tanjung Piai parliamentary by-election on Nov 16, including extending polling hours from 8 am to 5.30 pm, compared to only 5 pm previously.

EC chairman Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun said two lanes will also be created for voters aged 60 years and older, while 26 new lanes will be added to polling centres with many voters, bringing the total number of lanes to 127 compared to 101 previously.

Azhar Azizan Harun

“In the case of handicapped persons, they can vote at one lane. 918 handicapped persons have been identified and are registered with the Social Welfare Department,” he said in a press conference held after the nomination process of the Tanjung Piai by-election candidates at Dewan Jubli Intan Sultan Ibrahim here today.

He added that the EC will broadcast the counting process at a selected polling centre via live-streaming on Facebook.

Azhar also said the voter cards which contain voter registrar information such as polling centre, lane, voting number and time have been sent to 52,978 voters to facilitate the voting process.

“However, voters will still have to bring their identity cards to verify their identities for the purpose of voting,” he said.

Azhar said the EC had also prepared a letter of pledge to be signed by the candidates to abide by all the regulations under the Election Offences Act 1954 and related laws during the 14-day campaign period beginning from nomination day today until 11.59 pm on Nov 15.

“In accordance with Section 27B of the Election Offences Act 1954, the EC has also formed four election campaign monitoring teams (PP-KPR),” he said.

Additionally, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has also opened a 24-hour operations room at the Johor MACC office in Tampoi.

Azhar said the candidates will be allowed to display and distribute campaign material containing their own photograph, the party symbol and photographs of party leaders.

“Campaign material containing words which spread ill-feelings, are racist and touch on religious sensitivities or can cause animosity are not permitted. The PP-KPR can take down campaign material which are negative or violate the provisions of the election laws,” he said.

Azhar said voters who did not get their voter’s card can check earlier to get the information on their polling centres, voting lane and number through the EC portal (www.spr.gov.my) or call telephone number 03-88927018 or send an SMS to 15888 or check through the MySPR Semak application.

He said for this by-election, the EC had appointed 91 election observers from 13 organisations such as government agencies and non-governmental organisations as well as three individuals to monitor the voting process.

He added that the EC expected the percentage of voter turn-out for this by-election to be about 70 per cent and the results to be known before 10 pm.

The Tanjung Piai parliamentary by-election sees a six-cornered fight between Karmaine Sardini, 66, from Pakatan Harapan, Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng, 55, (Barisan Nasional), Wendy Subramaniam, 38, (Gerakan), Datuk Dr Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz, 56, (Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia) and two independent candidates — tuition centre founder Dr Ang Chuan Lock, 49, and businesswoman Faridah Aryani Abd Ghaffar, 43. – Bernama

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