SANDAKAN POLLS | Election Commission chairperson Azhar Azizan Harun has described the Sandakan by-election as the best held under his watch.

Azhar said this was evident from the smooth conduct of the by-election, maintenance of public order and high level of discipline shown by supporters of political parties, the candidates and voters.

"They were very disciplined and respected the law and election regulations, I feel this is a model of a good election,” he told reporters after the announcement of the Sandakan by-election results here tonight.

Asked on the lower voter turnout, Azhar said this is normal in a by-election.

"The voter turnout today is 54.4 percent or 21,595 voters; normally there will be fewer voters compared to general elections,” he said, adding that many voters working outside Sandakan might not have returned to cast their ballots.

The Sandakan by-election was the eighth by-election held after the 14th general election.

The first was for Sungai Kandis on Aug 4, Balakong and Seri Setia (Sept 8), Port Dickson (Oct 13), Cameron Highlands (Jan 26), Semenyih state seat (March 2) and Rantau (April 13).

Vivian Wong retained Sandakan DAP with a bigger majority of 11,521 votes.

She polled 16,012 votes, while her nearest rival Linda Tsen of PBS obtained only 4,491 votes in a five-cornered fight.

Wong's father, two-term Sandakan MP Stephen Wong, had won the seat with a 10,098-vote majority in GE14.

The by-election was held following his death on March 28.

- Bernama