KUALA KRAI: About 87.33 percent or 10,736 out of 12,293 voters cast their votes in the Manik Urai state by-election, polling of which was closed at 5 p.m. today (14 July).

Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said the percentage was higher than the EC's target of 85 percent.

"We are happy with the turnout. This is among the highest percentage in the country's by-election history," he said when contacted.

Counting of votes will now begin at each of the polling stations after which they will be tallied at the Dewan Petra, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultan Yahya Petra 1, here. The result is expected at 8 p.m.

The by-election is a straight fight between Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat, 39, of Barisan Nasional and Mohd Fauzi Abdullah, 50, of PAS. (Bernama)