PUTRAJAYA (June 6): The Election Commission (EC) has set July 6, a Saturday, as the polling day for the Sungai Bakap state by-election in Penang.

EC deputy chairman Dr Azmi Sharom also announced nomination on June 22, a Saturday, and early voting on July 2, a Tuesday.

Azmi announced this after chairing the EC's special meeting at Menara SPR.

The Sungai Bakap state seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff on May 24 at the intensive care unit of the Seberang Jaya Hospital. The 56-year-old assemblyman was admitted to the hospital due to an inflammation of the stomach.

The Sungai Bakap by-election will be the eighth by-election after the 15th general election in November 2022.

Azmi said that the electoral roll to be used for the by-election is updated (as of May 24).

“The electoral roll for Sungai Bakap contains 39,279 voters, consisting of 39,222 regular voters and 57 police officers," he said.

He added that the by-election would cost RM2.1 million, with 522 election workers to be appointed.

The by-election will have nine regular polling centres with 65 polling channels, and one early voting centre and channel.

The Jawi Multipurpose Hall in Taman Desa Jawi will be used as the nomination process and official vote tallying centre.

Azmi said there will be a 14-day campaign period, starting from the declaration of candidates after nomination on June 22 until 11.59pm on July 5.

“Two enforcement teams have been set up to monitor campaign activities throughout the campaign period,” he said, adding that the teams comprise police personnel, as well as representatives of local authorities and contesting candidates.

According to Azmi, the application process for all categories of postal votes, both domestic and overseas, for the by-election is now open online.

The closing date for applications is June 20 for Category 1A (election staff, EC members/officers, police, military, and media personnel), followed by June 13 for Category 1B (Malaysian citizens residing abroad) and Category 1C (agencies/organisations).

Meanwhile, Azmi also called on prospective candidates for the by-election to complete and pre-check their nomination forms with the Office of the Returning Officer involved or the Penang EC Office before the nomination day to ensure a smooth nomination process.

However, the nomination papers must be submitted by the candidates, their proposers or seconders on the nomination day at the designated nomination centre.

The EC also invites any government agencies, non-governmental organisations, or interested parties to become election observers to monitor the by-election process from the nomination day until the announcement of the election results.

“They are allowed to observe the process at the nomination centre, polling centres, and the vote counting and tallying centre, but must comply with all appointment conditions set by the EC,” Azmi added.