THE Sandakan by-election will take place on May 11, and nomination on April 27, said the Election Commission today.

The seat fell vacant after its MP, Stephen Wong, died of a heart attack on March 28.

Early voting will be on May 7, EC chairman Azhar Azizan Harun told a press conference in Putrajaya.

“The campaign period for the by-election is 14 days, from nomination day until 11.59pm on May 10.

“The EC has appointed Mohamad Hamsan Awang Supain from the Sandakan Municipal Council as the returning officer. He will be aided by five assistants.

“The SMK Tiong Hua Sandakan activity hall will serve as the nomination centre and vote-tallying centre.”

He said voters can cast their ballots between 8am and 5.30pm.

The polls process will be live-streamed via the EC’s Facebook page, he added.

“We have 770 EC staff to handle the by-election. There will be 21 polling centres with 92 streams.

“The budget for the by-election is estimated at RM3.1 million.”

Azhar said the commission targets a 70% turnout.

“We hope the media will encourage people to cast their votes on polling day.

“There will be an extra 17 polling streams to avoid congestion, making for a total of 92 streams.”

It was reported that Wong’s daughter, Vivian, is among the names suggested as Sabah DAP’s candidate for the by-election.

Vivian, who holds a degree in mass communications, had worked as an officer to her father in the state Health and Well-being Ministry, which he led. – April 5, 2019.