JOHOR BAHRU - The weather was cloudy on nomination day for the Pulai parliamentary and Simpang Jeram state by-elections, which were held at Dewan Jubli Intan Sultan Ibrahim here and Muar, respectively, today.
The Election Commission (EC) staff, members of the security forces and health workers were seen arriving as early as 6.30 a.m. and were briefed on their tasks at the two nomination centres before they opened at 9am.
To ensure the nomination process went well, a total of 3,500 police personnel were on duty at the two nomination centres, where they also installed barriers and barbed wire to separate supporters of the political parties intending to contest in the by-elections to prevent any confrontation and provocation between the groups.
Supporters of the relevant political parties had gathered at the location set by the EC, which is about 50 metres away from the nomination centre, as early as 7am to show support for their candidates.
Media representatives also arrived early to cover the event.
The nomination process for the Pulai parliamentary and the Simpang Jeram state by-elections lasted for an hour until 10 a.m.
The EC has set Sept 9 as polling day for both by-elections with early voting on Sept 5.
The by-elections were called after the P161 Pulai parliamentary seat and N13 Simpang Jeram state became vacant following the death of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub who was the incumbent for both seats.
The Amanah deputy president and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister died on July 23 due to a brain haemorrhage. - BERNAMA