THE turnout among young voters in the Pelangai by-election at 11am is encouraging, Election Commission chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh said.

He said this is a good development against several previous by-elections.

“We can see voters are coming early and waiting in long queues. In the past, young voters often come a little later. This shows the enthusiasm of young people has changed,” he told reporters after visiting a polling station in SM Felda Chemomoi today.

Ghani, meanwhile, said he was confident turnout would reach the 70% target when voting ends at 6pm.

“I am calling on all voters to exercise their right in the duration we have proposed,” he said.

The by-election is seeing a three-cornered fight among Barisan Nasional’s Amizar Abu Adam, Kasim Samat of Perikatan Nasional and Independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasni.

The by-election is the fourth being held after last year’s general election.

The first three by-elections held were for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat on August 12, and for the Pulai parliamentary seat and Simpang Jeram state seat, which took place simultaneously on September 9. – Bernama, October 7, 2023.