JOHOR BARU: The voter turnout in the Pulai parliamentary seat is 19% and Simpang Jeram state seat is 26% as of 11am, according to the Election Commission (EC).

EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh said the Pulai seat had a lower turnout compared to Simpang Jeram possibly due to the downpour that lasted about an hour earlier.

“Earlier in the day, the turnout was good but things slowed down when it started to rain in Johor Baru. I understand that the weather in Simpang Jeram was fine.

“I hope voters continue to head out to vote and fulfil their duty as citizens as the skies cleared up.

“I believe we will be able to meet the target voter turnout of at least 70% by the end of the day,” he told the media after observing the voting situation at the SMK Taman Bukit Indah polling centre here on Saturday (Sept 9).

He added that older voters in stream one to three were more “active” compared to younger voters as the former usually preferred heading to the polling centres earlier in the day.

Abdul Ghani also said that the voting process has been smooth so far with no unwanted incidents.

The by-elections for the Pulai parliamentary seat and Simpang Jeram state seat were triggered by the demise of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub, who aside from being the Pulai MP, was the Simpang Jeram assemblyman and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister.

Voting is ongoing until 6pm.