REMBAU: Seventy-two per cent out of the 110 registered early voters have cast their ballots as of 11am today, said Election Commission (EC) chairman Azhar Azizan Harun.
"The voting process is very smooth. We are hoping to achieve a turnout rate of 80 per cent," he told reporters after visiting the polling station at Rantau police station here, today.
A total of 74 voters, comprising armed forces personnel and their spouses, are voting at the Sendayan Air Force Base; while 36 voters, comprising police personnel, are casting their ballots at the Rantau police station.
The remaining eight voters, comprising military personnel, are postal voters, according to the EC.
Both polling stations will close at 12 noon.
The early voting process is monitored by agents of every candidate as well as election observers from representatives of organisations and non-governmental organisations appointed by the EC.
All votes cast during early voting will be kept at the local police station lockup and will be tallied on polling day on April 13 at SJKC Bandar Sri Sendayan.
Meanwhile, election candidates today expressed satisfaction with the way the EC is coordinating today’s early voting process.
The polling station at Rantau police station was visited by Pakatan Harapan candidate Dr S. Streram at 7.55am, followed by Barisan Nasional's Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who arrived at about 8.15am.
"At 8am, police officers were allowed to vote and I managed to see five of them casting their ballots. Overall, the voting process is proceeding smoothly.
"I am very satisfied with the EC for their extensive preparations. We have observers stationed here and so far, everyone is abiding by the rules," Dr Streram said when met by reporters.
Police spokesman for the Rantau by-election Deputy Superintendent Ahmad Jamaludim said a total of 1,100 police personnel will be on duty during general polling on April 13 (Saturday).
"We advise voters to come out early to vote to prevent traffic jams. Also, the candidates and their supporters are advised not to provoke or act aggressively throughout the voting process," he said.
Ahmad added that 73 police reports have been lodged throughout the campaigning period so far, and that 15 investigation papers have been opened under the Elections Offences Act as well as the Penal Code.
"However, there are no serious cases reported so far.
“On the case involving the provocative banners, several witnesses have been called up to provide their statements and we are still trying to identify a suspect," he said.
The Rantau by-election sees a four-cornered fight between Mohamad, Dr Streram and two independent candidates – R. Malarvizhi and Mohd Nor Yassin.
The by-election was called after the Federal Court dismissed an appeal filed by Mohamad to set aside an Election Court decision to declare his victory in the 14th general election (GE14) null and void.
Mohamad had won the seat uncontested in May 2018 after Dr Streram was unable to submit his nomination papers after being denied entry into the nomination centre for not having a pass issued by the EC.
The seat has 20,926 registered voters.