BEAUFORT: The Election Commission (EC) is targeting a 70 per cent voter turnout for the Kimanis parliamentary by-election.
The nomination process concluded earlier today and the by-election is a straight fight between Datuk Karim Bujang, 67, of Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) and Datuk Mohamad Alamin, 48, of Barisan Nasional (BN).
Karim, 67, is the chief of the Kimanis Division of Warisan, while Mohamad Alamin, 48, is the head of the Kimanis Division of Umno.
Early voting is on Jan 14 and polling is on Jan 18.
EC chairman Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun said that the commission hopes all Kimanis voters will exercise their right to vote in the by-election.
“The EC also urges all parties, especially the media, to encourage voters to come out and vote on polling day,” he told a press conference after the nomination process at Dewan Datuk Seri Panglima Mohd Dun Banir here.
Azhar Azizan also warned that campaign materials with content that could incite the people, have racist elements, or touch on religious sensitivities are strictly prohibited.
He said EC Election Campaign enforcement teams (PP-KPR) are empowered to remove such material.
“All ceramah (campaign rallies) must get a permit from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and PDRM has the power to take action if ceramah are held without a police permit,” he said.
Azhar Azizan added that the EC has appointed 80 election observers from 14 organisations involving government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and eligible individuals to monitor the by-election.
He expects the results to be announced by 10pm on Jan 18.
Kimanis, made up of the state constituencies of Bongawan and Membakut, has 29,664 voters, comprising 29,654 regular voters, nine early voters and one overseas absentee voter.
The gender breakdown is 14,800 men and 14,864 women. Bongawan has 16,273 voters and Membakut 13,391. – Bernama