THE Election Commission (EC) said as at 10am, 22% of 22,731 registered voters cast their ballots at 14 polling stations to elect a new representative for the Jepak state constituency. 

EC Chairman Abdul Ghani Salleh expects the turnout to reach 65%. 

Eleven polling stations will close at 5.30pm while three are scheduled to close at 4pm. 

The voting today followed a two-week campaign that ended yesterday. 

The three candidates contesting are Iskandar Turkee from Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Stevenson Joseph Sumbang from Parti Bumi Kenyalang, and Chieng Lea Phing from Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak. 

The Malaysian Meteorological Department predicts clear weather in the morning and thunderstorms in some areas in the afternoon.  

The EC expects the results to be announced before 9pm. 

The Jepak state assembly by-election was held after its incumbent since 1996, Talib Zulpilip, died on September 15. 

In the 12th Sarawak elections in December 2021, Talib defended his seat with a majority of 4,243 votes. – November 4, 2023.