BINTULU: The Election Commission (EC) expects the results for the Jepak by-election on Saturday (Nov 4), to be released early around 9 pm.
EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh said this expedited process was attributed to the newly introduced system that had been deployed, reducing the time required to transfer ballots from the farthest area, which is about an hour’s drive from the polling centre to the vote tallying centre at Bintulu Civic Centre.
“The commission is committed to continually innovate and simplify existing systems, ensuring swift results.
“This system can speed up the results and we have already implemented this for the Pelangai by-election the other day. We hope this system can run smoothly (Jepak by-election),” he said in an interview today (Nov 2).
In terms of voter turnout, Abdul Ghani estimated it to be around 65 per cent, a slight increase from the previous election’s 62 per cent.
Therefore, he hoped that all eligible voters would cast their ballots within their allocated time frame.
The Jepak by-election will involve 22,804 registered voters distributed across 15 polling stations with 46 polling streams/channels.
Polling is scheduled to commence at 7.30am and conclude at 5.30 pm, with the exception of two or three polling stations that will close early at 4 pm.
In a testament to the respectful and peaceful nature of the campaign, Abdul Ghani praised the political parties involved in the Jepak by-election for their courteous and harmonious campaigning.
He commended the people of the Jepak area for maintaining a family-like atmosphere during the campaign period.
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate Iskandar Turkee, Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) candidate Stevenson Joseph Sumbang, and Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (ASPIRASI) candidate Chieng Lea Ping, are vying for the vacant state seat.
With these preparations in place, the stage is set for the Jepak by-election, and all eyes are on tomorrow when the results will be revealed.
