INCUMBENT PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali has taken the lead over challenger Rafizi Ramli in the first phase of party polls in Sarawak today.

Based on early results, Azmin received 2,858 votes to Rafizi’s 1,508 in 21 divisions, taking a lead of 1,350 votes.

Unofficial results show Azmin taking 16 of the 22 divisions that voted today, including Kota Samarahan, Batang Sadong, Saratok and Kanowit.

Rafizi, meanwhile, won Serian, Kapit, Miri, Sibuti and Limbang.

The Mukah and Lubuk Antu results have yet to be known, while the polls in Julau have been suspended due to “technical attacks” on the e-voting system.

Seven other divisions in the state will vote tomorrow.

Sarawak election coordinator Desmond Kho said polling went smoothly today, but the 30% voter turnout was lower than expected.

In the national score, Azmin is leading Rafizi by 4,353 votes.

Meanwhile, controversy continued in the Julau division, after the central election committee detected a third-party application on some of the tablets used in the e-voting process.

Committee chairman Rashid Din said reports have been sent to the party’s cybersecurity team at the PKR headquarters Petaling Jaya.

The tablets were being controlled remotely, he said. – November 10, 2018.