No plans for live telecast of vote-counting - EC

The Election Commission (EC) has no plans for live telecast of vote counting in by-elections.

Its chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said the live telecast of vote counting was not possible as it could have implication in terms of the law.

He said the EC, however, allowed the media to record the vote-counting process.

"But the media must obtain permission from the commission before recording it," he told reporters after opening Maahad Tahfiz Annabawi Lilbanat, here Saturday.

Abdul Aziz said the EC has always been transparent in the vote-counting process and did not want it to be disputed.

Communications and Multimedia Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek had requested that the live telecast be made but the EC wanted to keep the vote a secret.

The Bukit Gelugor by-election today is a contest between DAP's Ramkarpal Singh Deo, Parti Cinta Malaysia vice-president Datuk Huan Cheng Guan, and independents Mohamed Nabi Bux Mohd Nabi Abdul Sathar and Abu Backer Sidek Mohamad Zan.

There are 82,431 voters in the constituency comprising 82,255 registered voters, 148 early voters and 28 overseas voters.

Result of the Bukit Gelugor parliamentary by-election is expected to be announced no later than 9pm today.