The results for the by-elections for the state seats of Merlimau in Malacca and Kerdau in Pahang are expected to be known at 8pm tomorrow.

Election Commission (EC) chief Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said the polling centres for both the state constituencies would be open from 8am until 5pm.

"According to the weather forecast for Merlimau, rain is expected in the afternoon, so I advise the voters to come out early," he told reporters after visiting the Vote Tallying Centre at the Dewan Platinum Politeknik, Merlimau today.

Abdul Aziz said the EC expected 80 percent of the 10,697 registered voters in Merlimau to cast their votes and advised them to check their polling centre beforehand.

He also advised them to bring their identity card but warned them against wearing prohibited attire that carried the party logo.

    

Stop campaigning at midnight

He said all political parties contesting in the by-elections were reminded to stop campaigning at midnight tonight and hoped party workers would not harass the voters tomorrow to canvass for votes.

On violations of campaign regulations, Abdul Aziz said most of the offences detected by the EC in the Merlimau state constituency concerned the posters and more than 20 police reports had been lodged by the EC during the eight days of campaigning.

"So far, no reports of any fights had been received by the EC, the situation here has been calm. Those who detect any phantom voters should get their names, identity card numbers and their photographs and report to the EC. Any imposters caught would be handed over to the police for firm action," he said.

The Merlimau by-election will see a straight fight between BN candidate Roslan Ahmad and the PAS candidate, Yuhaizad Abdullah. It is being held following the death of the incumbent assemblyman, Mohamad Hidhir Abu Hassan on Jan 20.

- Bernama