LIVE REPORTS
Polling at Bukit Selambau, Bukit Gantang and Batang Ai started at 8am this morning. Almost 100,000 voters are eligible to elect two state representatives and one member of parliament.
Both Bukit Selambau (Kedah) and Batang Ai (Sarawak) are state seats while Bukit Gantang is a parliamentary seat. Voting ends at 5pm and results are expected after 10pm.
12.05pm Bukit Selambau Chief Inspector Mohammad Shofee Tayib from Kuala Muda district confirmed that one bus suspected of carrying phantom voters has been stopped by opposition supporters at Gurun, some 20 kilometres away from Sungai Petani.
He said the bus was stopped by these supporters at about 10am and is now at the Gurun police station.
He added that the police were not sure if the passengers were supporters or voters. The police are checking on their status now, using the electoral roll.
12 noon Bukit Gantang Weather report - Rain looks set to fall soon but as it stands now, it is still sunny.
11.55am Bukit Selambau EC deputy chief Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said that the voter turnout rate at Bukit Selambau stood at 40 percent as at 11.50am and was expected reach 50 percent soon.
However, according to PKR's Pantai Jerejak assemblyperson Sim Tze Tzin, who is at Bukit Selambau, the number of young voters who had come out to vote so far was very small.
He said that as at 11am, the turnout rate for young people in all voting districts was only at about 20 percent.
This low figure could be due to work commitment, he said, adding that the rate could rise later in the day.
11.46am Batang Ai Blogger Lina Soo reported that the EC has decided to transport ballot boxes for 14 out of the 26 polling stations by river and helicopters to the counting centre. Polling agents are not allowed to accompany these ballot boxes.
Mafrel said that this would provide an avenue for fraud, highlighting that there was a possibility of ballot boxes going missing or being swapped.
11.45am Batang Ai The weather remain sunny in Batang Ai. At the Mepi polling station, which is part of the resettlement village near the Batang Ai dam, about 290 out of 437 voters (66 percent) had cast their ballot by 11am. Polling here to close at 2pm.
11.36am Bukit Gantang The first report of alleged phantom voters has emerged. Blogger Haris Ibrahim reported that a bus was sighted at Bukit Lembu at 10.20am, carrying 29 occupants "who appear to be phantom voters".
He said that the bus was escorted by police cars all the way to the Gurun police station.
"The gate was closed but one PKR representative was allowed to go in. A small group gathered outside the police station," he blogged.
11.28am Voter turnout According to EC, as at 10am, the turnout at Bukit Gantang stood at 17.77 percent, Bukit Selambau 21.92 percent and Batang Ai 32.41 percent.
11.26am Bukit Gantang Perak EC chief Ismail Yusof said things are under control in Bukit Gantang with no physical violence reported. However he added that things were quite tense at Taman Kaya, Changkat Jering.
11.25am: Batang Ai At Sekarok polling station in Batang Ai dam resettlement area, 250 out of 356 voters, or about 70 percent, had cast their votes by 11am. This polling station will close at 2pm.
The whole resettlement area, which has more than 1,700 registered voters from 21 longhouses representing the biggest group of voters in the constitutency, has been traditionally pro-opposition.
11.22am Bukit Selambau Mafrel reported that the FRU has been deployed at SM Aman Jaya after a stand off between BN and PKR.
PKR campaigners were unhappy when BN tried to move one of its two tents closer to the polling centre. PKR has only one tent here.
11.15am Bukit Selambau Both BN and PKR are using sample ballot papers to tell voters on how to vote. This is being done as the Election Commission has reformatted the ballot paper due to the big number of candidates.
There are also about 40 BN campaigners here, mostly from Puteri Umno.
Meanwhile it is being reported that the roads in Sungai Petani, especially in Sungai Lalang and Bukit Selambau old town are hit by bad traffic.
11.11am Bukit Selambau Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil arrived at the SMK Taman Ria Jaya poling station at 11am and was received with a big support from the BN supporters.
Taman Ria Jaya polling district has the largest number of voters, at 5,122 voters.
11.10am Bukit Gantang Voter-turnout at the Sek Keb Changkat Jering is only around 30 percent as at 11am. Out of 2,410 voters, only about 600 have voted so far.
11am Bukit Gantang Earlier today at about 10am, PAS candidate Mohamad Nizar's vehicle was blocked and kicked by BN supporters at the SK Ayer Puteh polling station. Nizar had wanted to visit this Malay area but had to cancel his plan due to this disruption.
The BN supporters' actions prompted PAS supporters to retaliate but a timely intervention by the FRU stopped the situation from escalating into something worse.
Nizar's visits to the polling centres, especially in Malay areas, are causing tensions with both sets of supporters exchanging insults.
This has resulted in Nizar not staying too long in any of his stops.
10.39am Bukit Selambau Mafrel reported that an argument has erupted between PKR and BN supporters over the location of their tents outside the SJK (Tamil) Palanisamy Kumaran polling centre.
The source of the complaint is that BN has been allocated a spot on a tar road while PKR was given place on a dirt road.
Some PKR party members have entered the BN's tent to argue with the BN members. The police tried to stop them but to no avail.
Meanwhile over at Bukit Gantang, blogger Bernard Khoo reported that BN and Pakatan supporters were seen throwing chairs and water bottles at each other at the Pengkalan Au polling station. The riot police had stepped in to calm the situation.
10.33am Bukit Gantang Blogger Bernard Khoo noted that there appeared to be more lady voters than men at the Pengkalan Au polling centre.
He also reported of the presence of several wheel-chaired voters at the scene, adding that PAS supporters were seen shading senior citizens with umbrellas.
He also saw PAS and Umno supporters mingling on same side of the road and regarded it as something unusual. His observation is that the PAS cheer groups seemed more upbeat than their BN counterparts.
10.30pm Batang Ai The weather in Lubok Antu, the main town of Batang Ai, is fine weather. The voter turnout is “brisk”, according to a Malaysiakini correspondent. Both Lubok Antu and Kutai, with a total of 1,340 voters, will close at 5pm - the last of the 26 polling stations to do so.
Other polling stations with fewer voters are to close earlier. Menyang with 75 voters will be first to close at 12pm.
10.23am Bukit Selambau Elections watchdog Mafrel reported that there is no EC's yellow tape to mark the 50 metre restrictive zone outside the SM Aman Jaya polling centre in Sungai Lalang.
It added that the police were asking observers to stay away at a distance from the school gate, where the two major parties have pitched their tents. One independent candidate has also put up a tent, but further away.
10.18am Bukit Gantang PAS candidate Mohamad Nizar: "God willing, there is a good chance (for a win)."
He spent some 15 minutes with his supporters at Sek Keb Changkat Jering polling centre.
As he was walking to his car, BN supporters shouted ‘Penderhaka' (traitor). PAS supporters reacted by shouting ‘Hancur Umno, Hidup Nizar'.
10.15am Message from Pakatan Rakyat leader Anwar Ibrahim.
"After one year in office the Pakatan Rakyat has delivered on our promise to build a more peaceful, prosperous and united Malaysia. We have fought against corruption and we have made life better in our states with better healthcare, investments in education and we have created thousands of new jobs.
"On April 7th Malaysians in Bukit Selambau, Bukit Gantang and Batang Ai will return once again to the polls to vote for change and for a brighter future for Malaysia. Join PKR, PAS and DAP in supporting our candidates in these important by-elections.
"Vote if you can. If you are registered to vote in these elections but live outside the constituency, we ask you to make the effort to go home and vote."
10.10am Bukit Selambau Elections watchdog Mafrel reported that the unprecedented A3 size ballot paper was slowing down voting process in SK Sg Lalang.
The Election Commission has reformatted the ballot paper for this by-election to accommodate 15 candidates.
10.01am Bukit Gantang PAS candidate Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin visits Sek Keb Changkat Jering polling centre. He is welcomed and mobbed by the PAS supporters and booed by the BN crowd.
10.01am Bukit Selambau Independent candidate T Chandrarajan, after voting:
"The response for me is very good and many people have praised my manifesto. They said my manifesto is the best and not just political rhetoric."
He said that being an independent candidate could affect his chances of winning, adding that he would continue to serve the people irrespective of the outcome.
9.59am Batang Ai Voting at the Menyang polling station will close at 12 noon while Lubok Antu will close at 5pm. Election officials are confident of at least 70 percent voter turnout.
There are 8,129 registered voters in Batang Ai, of which 95 percent are Ibans living in 150 longhouses. There are 43 postal votes.
9.53am Bukit Selambau Independent candidate T Chandrarajan and wife M Suguna Devi voted at Sek Men Teknik Sungai Petani at about 9.35am.
Chandrarajan is the only independent candidate who is a registered voter in this constituency. A total of 13 independent candidates are vying for this seat along with PKR's Manikumar and BN's Ganesan.
9.45am Bukit Gantang Supporters from PAS and BN are exchanging insults at the Sek Keb Changkat Jering polling centre. About 300 PAS supporters are chanting ‘Hancur Umno, Hancur BN' to which the 100-odd BN supporters responded by shouting ‘PAS Munafik' (PAS hypocrite).
PAS supporters are also singing songs about Altantuya. Voters are also coming in continuously to cast their ballots.
9.35am Bukit Gantang A PAS supporter was chased by two policemen after he was seen wearing an Altantuya mask at the Sek Keb Changkat Jering polling centre. The supporter managed to run away.
9.28am Bukit Gantang BN's Ismail Saffian, "I am confident people will vote for BN and me".
When asked if his defeat would mean people's lack of confidence in Najib, he said: "I leave it to the people". He earlier said his victory would be an endorsement to Najib as the new PM.
He also claimed that his opponents were up to their dirty tactics again this morning by sending out fake SMSes claiming to be from him to voters, asking them not to vote for him.
9.25am Batang Ai Polling opened at 8am in 26 polling stations across the sprawling constituency in Batang Ai. With only 8,000 registered voters and no traffic jams, residents are taking their time to vote.
In some far-flung polling stations, voting will close earlier to enable the ballot boxes to be flown by helicopters to the main counting centre in the border town of Lubok Antu.
9.20am Bukit Gantang Heavy traffic at the main junction in Taiping as voters and party workers are getting busy with their tasks. Police are monitoring traffic.
9.16am Bukit Gantang BN's Ismail Saffian said it was a tough contest but he was confident of winning by a thin majority of between 1,000 to 3,000 votes. He said his victory would be an endorsement to Najib Abdul Razak's premiership.
"But I leave it to the voters," he said, adding that he only slept at 3am after attending 10 ceramah sessions at the last minute and was up by 6am.
Both sets of supporters meanwhile are still having a go at each other outside the SK Dato Panglima Gantang voting centre. PAS supporters are shouting ‘Hancur BN' to which the response from the other side is ‘Hidup BN'.
9.15am Weather report It is a fine morning in Bukit Selambau while the weather is also looking bright in Bukit Gantang after a slight drizzle when voting started. Heavy rain is expected in the afternoon in Bukit Gantang.
9.07am Bukit Gantang The Larut Matang and Selama Hired Car and Taxi Drivers Cooperative is providing free service to ferry voters to polling centres.
Chairperson Ismail Mat Isa said 25 taxi drivers would start picking up voters from 7am until polling closed at 5pm.
"It is our social responsibility to help the government by increasing the voter turnout," he said, adding that the free taxi service was also in support of BN's Ismail Saffian.
9am Bukit Selambau PKR's Manikumar, who is visiting the various polling centres, arrives at Ladang Perbadanan Kedah Tamil school where his opponent Ganesan was still waiting after having polled. Both of them exchanged pleasantries.
The by-election here has created a history for the number of candidates contesting to win this state seat - 15 in all, with 13 independents.
8.59am Bukit Gantang BN's Ismail Saffian arrives at the SK Dato Panglima Gantang voting centre and proceeds to cast his vote.
8.47am Bukit Gantang Taiping police chief Raja Musa told reporters that the Light Strike Force units were sent to all polling centres to maintain order and ensure security. The traffic outside the SK Dato Panglima Gantang voting centre is almost at a standstill with motorists slowing down to see the two sets of supporters in action.
BN's Ismail has yet to arrive to cast his vote.
8.42am Bukit Selambau BN/MIC's Ganesan, after voting: "I am relaxed. Now it is up to the voters. Tonight I will sleep well. I leave it to the voters and god now. I am a familiar face to them. We want to win to serve the people and not for glory".
8.40am Bukit Selambau PKR's Manikumar (photo), after voting: "Today is a historic day. I am confident of winning this seat, maybe with even a majority of more than 2,000. There is a huge support for me here"
8.37am Bukit Gantang BN/Umno supporters have started retaliating to the noise made by the PAS supporters at the SK Dato Panglima Gantang voting centre in Changkat Jering.
The police Light Strike Force unit is on standby, They have also formed a line outside the polling centre to separate the opposing supporters.
8.35am Bukit Gantang Of the three candidates vying for this parliamentary seat, only BN's Ismail will be voting today.
PAS' Mohamad Nizar is a registered voter in Pasir Panjang state constituency where he is the assemblyperson while independent candidate Kamarul is not registered as a voter.
There are 55,562 voters, including 136 postal voters, in the constituency.
The Election Commission will open 32 polling stations with 111 voting streams.
8.30am Bukit Gantang A crowd of about 100 are at the SK Dato Panglima Gantang voting centre. This is where BN's Ismail Saffian will be voting. The crowd is divided equally between Umno and PAS supporters. They are all waving their respective party flags and posters in support of their candidates.
PAS supporters are shouting ‘Allahuakbar' and singing religious songs.
This by-election is a three-way fight between Ismail, PAS' Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin and independent Kamarul Ramizu Idris.
8.24am Bukit Selambau BN's Ganesan and his wife R Vatsala (photo) have casted their votes.
8.18am Bukit Selambau PKR's candidate S Manikumar voted at SMK Taman Ria Jaya.
8.15am Bukit Gantang Voters are queuing to vote at SK Dato Panglima Gantang. BN candidate Ismail Saffian is also expected to cast his vote here soon.
8.07am: Bukit Selambau BN/MIC candidate S Ganesan arrived at Ladang Perbadanan Kedah Tamil school to cast his vote. About 30 police personnel are stationed at this voting centre.
UPDATED 12.30am
