THE Election Commission (EC) has issued a total of 73 postal ballot papers to eligible electors, including police personnel, for the Jepak state by-election on November 4. 

EC secretary Ikmalrudin Ishak said the postal ballot papers were issued by election officers appointed by the returning officer yesterday. 

Accordingly, no early voting centres will open on Oct 31. 

“The postal ballot papers issued consist of 70 Category 1A (election officers and police personnel), one postal ballot paper for Category 1B (Malaysian residing abroad) and two for Category 1C (agencies and organisations),” he said in a statement today. 

Ikmalrudin said the process of issuing the postal ballot papers was carried out in the presence of postal ballot agents representing all the contesting candidates.  

He reminded all postal voters to mark the ballot papers, fill in the identity declaration form (Form 2) completely and correctly, and immediately return them to the returning officer concerned before 5pm on November 4. 

“Voters are also reminded to always keep their votes confidential by not taking photos of the postal ballot papers and spreading them on social media sites,” he said. 

The Jepak by-election involves a three-cornered fight between Gabungan Parti Sarawak candidate Iskandar Turkee, Parti Bumi Kenyalang candidate Stevenson Joseph Sumbang, and Chieng Lea Phing from Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party. 

The by-election is being held following the death of GPS incumbent Talib Zulpilip on September 15. – Bernama, October 24, 2023.