SG KANDIS POLLS | Some 51,217 voters are set to cast their ballots today in the heavily contested Sungai Kandis by-election.

The polls, which see a three-cornered fight between Pakatan Harapan's Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni, BN's Lokman Noor Adam and independent K Murthy, is the first of three by-elections to take place in Selangor due to the untimely deaths of its incumbents – the other two being Balakong and Seri Setia. 

PKR incumbent Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei, who died on July 2 due to lymphoma, had previously won the Malay-majority state seat by 12,480 votes in the May 9 general election.

This polls will also be the first test of voter support for both Harapan and BN after the national polls.

Throughout the 13-day campaign period, BN has sought to diminish the popularity of Harapan in the state by playing up the need for greater opposition representation to serve as check and balance to the state government.

Selangor is administered by Harapan, with its assemblypersons dominating the state assembly with 51 seats – PKR 28, DAP 13, and five each for Bersatu and Amanah (now 48 with the three vacated seats).

BN, meanwhile has four seats and PAS one.

Lokman, 45, and other BN leaders, including former premier Najib Abdul Razak, have also played up federal government's inability to meet with its election manifesto pledges thus far since taking office about three months ago.

BN's campaign is apparently aided by PAS, which has opted out of contesting this seat, stating that it did not wish to split the votes against the Harapan candidate.

PAS leaders have been urging members and supporters to cast their ballots for BN's Lokman (photo), claiming that Harapan has sidelined Islam, the Malays and the royal institution.

This has been countered by Harapan, pointing out that if the choice of assemblyperson should be made based on whom best represented the interests of Islam and the Malays, then that choice should be Zawawi, a religious teacher.

He was also the former Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) Selangor chief, and previously served as secretary of the Integrated Muslim Association Network (Iman).

Zawawi, 48, is confident that up to 7,000 PAS supporters will vote for him.

However, it would seem that PAS members and supporters are still split in their decision to toe the party line or vote for Harapan, as indicated by those met by Malaysiakini recently. 

Meanwhile, little is known about independent candidate Murthy. The 60-year-old told the New Straits Times on nomination day that he was inspired to contest following the return of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The pensioner said he felt his 34 years of experience as a civil servant in the Selangor government would serve him well. Like Mahathir, Murthy also wants to return to serve the people, but now through the state legislative assembly.

The Election Commission stated that it is expecting a voter turnout of 80 percent. Altogether, 19 polling stations with 109 streams will be open from 8am to 5.30 pm. Results are expected to be announced by 10pm.

As for the other vacated state seats, constituents in Balakong will cast their ballots on Sept 8, while no date has yet been set for the Seri Setia polls.

The Balakong seat fell vacant after the death of assemblyperson Eddie Ng Tien Chee on July 20 in a road accident, while Seri Setia assemblyperson Shaharuddin Badaruddin died on Thursday from colon cancer.