The three candidates in the Ayer Kuning by-election came out early this morning to cast their votes.
Barisan Nasional’s Yusri Bakir arrived at SK Sungai Lesong at 8.45am and had finished casting his ballot by 9.15am.
Perikatan Nasional’s Abd Muhaimin Malek arrived at SK Ayer Kuning with his wife and parents at 8am and completed their voting about 20 minutes later.
According to a report by Sinar Harian, PSM’s KS Bawani was the first person to vote at SJKC Pheng Lok, arriving there at 8am accompanied by party deputy chairman S Arutchelvan.
Yusri and Muhaimin called on registered voters to cast their ballots early, and expressed their hopes that outstation voters would fulfil their obligation.
Eighteen polling centres will remain open until 6pm, while the centre at SK Toh Tandewa Sakti will close earlier at 4pm.
A total of 31,281 voters are eligible to cast their ballots tto elect a new assemblyman for the Perak state constituency.
Voters from first-timers to senior citizens began arriving at polling stations as early as 7.30am despite overcast skies.
On Tuesday, about 90% of the 582 police officers and their spouses took part in early voting for the by-election.
Vote counting will take place at the official tallying centre at Dewan Merdeka in Tapah, with the official results expected at about 9pm.
The by-election was called following the death on Feb 22 of Umno assemblyman Ishsam Shahruddin, who won the seat in the last general election with a 2,213-vote majority in a five-cornered contest.
