Harapan's Nazri casts vote in Simpang Jeram race

JOHOR BY-ELECTIONS | Pakatan Harapan candidate Nazri Abdul Rahman, 56, cast his vote at SJK(C) Pei Chai for the Simpang Jeram state legislative assembly by-election.

Nazri, wearing a white shirt, arrived at 9.47am accompanied by his wife, Siti Seri Azura Ahmad (above-right), 43, before proceeding to cast his ballot paper.

Meanwhile, when met by reporters, Nazri said he was satisfied with the turnout and pleased with young people's presence as early as 8am at the Simpang Jeram state assembly polling centre.

"I am satisfied with the number of people who went out to vote and hopefully more and more people will continue to go out to vote.

"It can be said that it is pretty encouraging because not only the elderly but also young people have started queuing as early as 8am this morning.

"Perhaps many young people go out to vote early and have already gone to work. God willing, I think this afternoon or evening, young people will continue to come out to vote," he said.

The Election Commission has reported a voter turnout of 18 percent at Simpang Jeram as of 10am.

Good signal

Nazri hopes the presence of many voters would be a good signal for the unity government.

"I urge those who have not woken up, hurry up, don't be late."

A total of 40,301 registered voters will pick their representatives in the Simpang Jeram state by-election today.

The 14-day campaigning period for both by-elections ended at 11.59pm last night.

At 8am today, 61 polling stations opened, involving 47 polling stations with 294 channels in the Pulai parliamentary seat. At the same time, 14 polling stations involving 68 channels in the Simpang Jeram state seat will be open until 6pm.

Three-cornered fight

The Malaysian Meteorological Department is predicting rain in the morning in both areas, with thunderstorms in the afternoon.

The Pulai parliamentary and the Simpang Jeram state assembly by-elections will witness a three-way competition between Harapan, PN, and independent candidates.

In Simpang Jeram, Nazri Abdul Rahman (Harapan) will meet surgeon Dr Mohd Mazri Yahya (PN) and independent candidate S Jeganathan.

The by-election for the two seats was held following the death of the incumbent Salahuddin Ayub on July 23.

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