A number of roads in and around the vote-tallying centre, situated at the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) in Jalan Berapit, Bukit Mertajam would be closed for traffic from 5.30pm to 10pm tomorrow.

Penang Traffic Chief DSP Wari Kiew said the move was to enable ballot boxes from various polling stations to reach the centre without any delay after polling for the Permatang Pasir state seat by-election, tomorrow.

NONE "Among roads to be closed are Jalan Berapit and Jalan Berapit/Jalan Mengkuang junction," he told reporters today.

He added that traffic from Bukit Mertajam or Perda would be diverted to Jalan Abdul Kadir or Jalan Tok Elong to Jalan Tanah Liat, Kubang Semang and Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE).

"Traffic from Kulim or BKE would be diverted from the Jalan Mengkuang/Jalan Berapit junction to Jalan Mengkuang to avoid any congestion near IKBN," he said.

Designated roads for parties

Wari said police had allocated 7,000 parking lots near IKBN for supporters of both parties to park their vehicles.

He added that residents staying near IKBN, can seek the help and cooperation of police to enter or exit the designated roads, during the said period.

NONE "About 150 traffic police will be stationed in and around IKBN to control and manage traffic in the area while a police tow-truck will patrol the area and tow away vehicles that are parked haphazardly or those that obstruct traffic," he said.

Meanwhile, lorries fitted with six tyres or more would be barred from entering the Permatang Pasir area starting 11.30pm tonight to 5pm tomorrow, to avoid traffic congestion in the area.

Wari also urged party supporters to observe or use the respective designated roads to reach IKBN as per previously agreed by both parties.

Barisan Nasional (BN) is to use Jalan Tanah Liat or Jalan Abdul Kadir to Jalan Berapit while PAS members are to take Jalan Mengkuang and BKE to reachJalan Berapit, he said.

- Bernama