A TOTAL of 16 polling stations with 128 channels in Balakong and 18 polling centres with 115 channels in Seri Setia opened from 8am today for the simultaneous by-elections in the two state seats.

In Balakong, 14 schools, a community hall and a recreation centre are being used as polling centres, while in Seri Setia, 14 schools, a polytechnic and three community halls are used. 

All polling centres will close at 5.30.

Balakong has 62,219 voters while Seri Setia has 50,692 voters.

The Election Commission has estimated a 70% cent voter turnout for both by-elections and the results are expected to be announced at the earliest by 10 pm tonight.

The counting process for Balakong will take place at the Hulu Langat District and Land Office in Bangi, while vote counting for Seri Setia is at the Petaling Jaya City Council civic hall.

It is a straight fight in both by-elections. Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Wong Siew Ki faces MCA candidate Tan Chee Teong in Balakong, while in Seri Setia, Halimey Abu Bakar from PH is pitted against Dr Halimah Ali (PAS).

The two Selangor seats fell vacant following the deaths of incumbents Eddie Ng Tien Chee (Balakong) and Prof Dr Shaharuddin Badaruddin (Seri Setia).

Ng died in a road accident on July 20, while Shaharuddin died of colon cancer on August 2.

Ng from DAP won by 35,538 votes while Shaharuddin of PKR won by 19,372 votes in the 14th general election. – Bernama, September 8, 2018.