Almost 60 per cent voter turnout in Kuala Kangsar by-election as of 2pm

Up to 59 per cent of voters had cast their ballots as of 2pm in the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary by-election today, according to the Election Commission.

EC chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hashim Abdullah said 19,253 of the 32,632 voters had exercised their right by that time.

The flow of voters to the polling centres was easing up now, he said, adding that this occurred in several polling districts including Bendang Kering, Ulu Kenas, Seberang Manong and Ketior.

He also said that traffic congestion was reported in several areas in Kuala Kangsar and the weather was hot as of 2pm.

All the 23 polling centres, which opened at 8am, will close at 5pm.

The Kuala Kangsar by-election is being held following the death of the MP, Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, in a helicopter crash in Sarawak on May 5.

It is a four-cornered fight among Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar's widow Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid of Barisan Nasional, Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad of PAS, Prof Dr Ahmad Termizi Ramli of Amanah and Independent candidate Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary.