Voters in Batu Talam started voting at 8am today to elect a new state representative for them.

The contest sees a straight fight between overwhelming favourite Abdul Aziz Kiram, the 47-year-old Barisan Nasional candidate, and independent Ng Chee Pang, a 22-year-old political novice.

The Batu Talam by-election was called following the death of its incumbent Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan (BN) last month.

While Abdul Aziz has the entire BN machinery campaigning for him tirelessly, Ng on the other hand has been pleading with the voters to allow him to retain his deposit.

There are a total of 10,525 voters, of which almost 80 percent are Malay voters (8,353). The Chinese make up of 10 percent (1,137) while there are 499 Indian voters (4.7 percent) and 536 Orang Asli voters (5 percent).

Voting period is from 8am to 5pm and the result is expected by 10pm tonight.

There are a total of 23 voting streams at 12 polling stations. And these are located at Ulu Atok, Kuala Atok, Sega, Chenua, Batu Malim, Tersang 1, Tersang 2, Tersang 3, Hulu Sungai, Batu Talam, Kundang Patah and Cheroh.

Returning Officer Abdul Kadir Awang Bakar said the ballots will be sent to the tallying centre at the Raub Silver Jubilee Hall after the counting process at the polling stations is completed.

According to Bernama a total of 127 election workers would ensure a smooth polling process in the by-election.

Bookies on loose

Voters are advised to go the polls early as the weather conditions are still erratic at Batu Talam. Several villages have been flooded in the past week due to continuous showers.

Another concern for the EC today will be the voters turnout. It is generally a given thing that a lower voter turnout is to be expected in a by-election. In the last general election, 26.6 per cent or 2,799 voters in the constituency did not go to the polls.

This also raises concern for the ruling BN as it aspires to win with at least a 3,000 majority this time around.

The boosting victory here will indicate a continuing support for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's policies.

A victory for BN is assured, no doubt, especially when the opposition parties are boycotting the by-election, on the grounds that the election laws needed reforms, but still there are doubts if the 3,000 majority is achievable.

In 2004, the BN retained the seat by defeating a PAS candidate with a 2,671 majority.

Bookies too have been dabbling their odds for this by-election, giving punters some hot tips on possible outcome. The three possible scenarios according to the bookies are the independent candidate loses his deposit; the independent candidate secures less than 500 votes; and the BN candidate secures minimum 3,000 majority votes.

'Come out in full force'

Government ministers, led by Abdullah, have been calling upon the voters to go out in full force to vote in the BN candidate.

Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who has been camping in Batu Talam since the nomination day 12 days ago, also urged voters to elect Abdul Aziz Kiram as he can ensure a smooth implementation of projects for the locals.

Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin also urged the voters not to miss out in fulfilling their responsibilities in the democratic process in Malaysia.

"Though this is a small by-election, its implication is huge as it will indicate the people's sentiments towards the country's democratic system," he was quoted as saying in Bernama.

He added that studies conducted by his ministry indicated that more than 65 percent of voters will turn out to vote today.

Malaysiakini will be reporting from Batu Talam and will be providing constant updates throughout the day.

There are also plans afoot to provide live telecast of the results later tonight in malaysiakini.tv, barring any technology difficulties.