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THE results of the Kinabatangan Parliamentary and Lamag State Legislative Assembly (DUN) by-elections are expected to be known as early as 10 pm this Saturday.
Election Commission (EC) Chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said the expected time takes into account geographical factors and the location of polling centres, which are quite far away, especially in rural areas.
"The EC has assured that all ballot boxes will be taken to the official vote counting centre at Dewan Sri Lamag according to the set time. Actually, there is no excuse; all ballot boxes must be at the official vote-counting centre.
"Although we (EC) know that there are polling centres that use helicopter and boat services, we have taken the best possible steps to ensure that all ballot boxes reach the vote counting centre," he said.
He told reporters after inspecting the early polling centres for the Kinabatangan Parliamentary and Lamag State by-elections at Teratak, Kinabatangan District Police Headquarters today.
Ramlan said the main challenge for this by-election was the unpredictable weather conditions and special logistical requirements, including the use of helicopter services at eight polling centres.
In addition, he said, the boat transport is for a polling centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tundun Bohangin to bring ballot boxes from remote areas to the official counting centre.
To avoid incidents of ballot boxes getting stranded due to bad weather, as happened in the last Sabah State Election (PRN), he said, the EC had taken proactive steps by closing several polling centres in the area early due to the interior.
"We have already learned from what happened in the recent PRN, which was one polling centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Keramuak (ballot boxes were taken out late due to bad weather). Previously, we closed the polling centre at 3 pm, but (for this by-election) we have brought it forward to 2 pm.
So, I hope voters in the area are aware of the change, and we hope voters can vote early on January 24 because the weather usually gets worse in the afternoon," he said as reported by Bernama.
The EC has also increased its technical preparedness, including the provision of Starlink facilities to ensure stable Internet access and adequate electricity supply support throughout the vote counting process.
Meanwhile, Ramlan said the EC is targeting a voter turnout of over 65 per cent for both by-elections.
Regarding early voting, he said that out of 196 police personnel, 189 members fulfilled their responsibilities as early voters, while seven others voted by post.
As of 9 am, he said 38 members or 20.1 per cent had finished voting for the Kinabatangan by-election while 44 members or 23.4 percent for the Lamag DUN.
Meanwhile, Ramlan said that as of yesterday, no complaints had been received regarding election offences.
"However, I understand this morning that a complaint has already been received. I have not yet received an official report.
"In general, the election process this time went very well, orderly, smoothly and no serious incidents have occurred," he said.
The Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election saw a three-cornered contest between Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar representing Barisan Nasional (BN), Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman (Warisan) and Goldam Hamid (Independent), while in the Lamag DUN, a one-on-one contest between Mohd Ismail Ayob (BN) and Mazliwati Abdul Malek (Warisan).
The by-election was held following the death of the incumbent Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, 66, on December 5 last year.
The Kinabatangan Parliament encompasses three DUNs, namely Sukau, Lamag and Kuamut, with a total of 48,722 registered voters, while the Lamag DUN has 13,899 voters.
A total of 36 regular polling centres containing 117 polling stations or channels will be used in both the by-elections. – January 20, 2026