PETALING JAYA: In a stunning reversal of fortune, Barisan Nasional has unofficially emerged victorious in the Nenggiri by-election in Kelantan, snatching the seat from PAS.
Barisan candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani has managed to garner a simple majority, according to updates via Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki’s Facebook livestream from BN’s Nenggiri operations room.
The atmosphere is jubilant at the BN operations room, with supporters cheering, chanting and clapping in unison as they celebrate their victory.
Among leaders present at the operations room are Asyraf and Umno Youth chief Muhamad Akmal Saleh.
As of 7.40pm, unofficially, Mohd Azmawi has 7,931 votes, while PAS candidate Mohd Rizwadi Ismail, who is representing Perikatan, has 5,067 votes.
Barisan has also won 17 out of the 20 polling centres so far.
ALSO READ: Nenggiri Polls:Umno sec-gen claims early Barisan lead based on results from six polling stations
Turnout was recorded at above 71% as of 4pm, which the Election Commission said is higher than the 61.09% recorded during the state elections last year.
According to calculations based on the estimated final turnout, the threshold for a simple majority is around 7,200 votes.
Mohd Azmawi’s victory means that Barisan has managed to secure its third seat in the Kelantan state assembly. The remaining 42 out of 45 seats are held by Perikatan.
This is also the first by-election since the 15th General Election in which the incumbent party lost to a challenger.
The Nenggiri by-election was called after the seat was declared vacant by Kelantan state assembly speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah on June 19.
This decision came after former Nenggiri assemblyman Mohd Azizi Abu Naim ceased to be a member of Bersatu on June 13.
ALSO READ: Nenggiri polls (Live Updates): Unofficial count shows BN emerging victorious
Mohd Azizi had contested the Nenggiri seat under a PAS ticket in the Kelantan state polls last year, where he defeated Barisan candidate Ab Aziz Yusoff by a slim majority of 810 votes.
Before Mohd Azizi won the seat, Barisan held the Nenggiri state seat for four terms.
Throughout the two-week campaigning period, heavyweight figures from both Barisan and Perikatan were present to boost their respective campaign.
On Barisan’s side, leaders such as Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Gua Musang division chief Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah made appearances, while Perikatan brought in the coalition chairman and Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as well as Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.
Earlier today, 20 polling centres with 46 voting streams were opened at 8am, with 14 of the polling centres closing at 6pm, while six others closed earlier due to a lower number of voters in the area.
No early voting was opened for this by-election, with 14 police personnel having voted by post.
This is the ninth by-election following the 15th General Election, with previous ones held for Kuala Terengganu (Parliamentary constituency) in Terengganu; Simpang Jeram (State constituency) and Pulai (Parliament) in Johor; Pelangai (State) in Pahang; Jepak (State) in Sarawak; Kemaman (Parliament) in Terengganu; Kuala Kubu Baharu (State) in Selangor; and Sg Bakap (State) in Penang.
