Opposition party PAS deems its boycott of the Batu Talam a success because voter turnout dropped by close to 10 percent against the 2004 tally for the state seat.

Election Commission (EC) figures put the turnout in the 2004 general election at 76.59 percent - the by-election, which was concluded on Sunday, registered 67.32 percent of 10,525 registered voters.

"We consider the Barisan Alternatif (BA) boycott a success generally, especially when Batu Talam is a Barisan Nasional stronghold," said PAS election director Mustafa Ali.

The BA, comprising PAS and Parti Keadilan Rakyat, had boycotted the by-election and further aimed at reducing turnout by 10-15 percent, in order to press for electoral reforms.

"The turnout in a by-election is usually higher than that during a general election," Mustafa pointed out.

He also said PAS would carry out a study to determine whether voters who stayed away from the polls were its members, fence-sitters or others.

"The study will serve as a guideline for PAS to make future boycotts more efficient," he explained.

Conduct satisfactory

Malaysians for Free and Fair Election (Mafrel) chief Abd Malek Hussin said overall conduct of the by-election was satisfactory.

"We visited six of the 12 polling stations and I would give them (EC) a good grade," he told malaysiakini .

However, he noted there were some minor glitches that the EC should address.

For instance, at one polling station verification of voters' particulars had to be done manually because an extension cord was not available to hook up the computers to power supply.

Mafrel, which acts as an election watchdog, observed that canvassing of votes was being carried out outside polling stations, while polling booths ( pondok panas ) were set up in front of polling stations.

These practices have been banned by the EC.

"We complained to the EC about the polling booths but the EC said these were legal since they were located 50m away from the polling stations," Malek said.

On the smaller turnout, Malek reiterated his concern that it could have a "disastrous" impact on the next general election and democracy.

"It was reduced by about 10 percent within a two-week campaign. What if the campaign is prolonged into a period of months?"

"While 10 percent is small for a by-election, imagine (the impact of) 10 percent in the general election."