“Since nomination until late last night, there were a total of 161 ceramah without provocation from any parties. Malaysians are getting more mature, in my opinion. This is the best by-election,” he remarked.

Abd Rahim said that 3,000 officers will be on duty throughout the day as voters go to the polls.

“We have been working since 6am. They are deployed in their respective areas to ensure safety and a peaceful voting process.”

Abd Rahim said there had been 29 police reports lodged since nomination day, and seven investigation papers opened.

He said the latest report was about violence between two groups of supporters (of PAS and Barisan Nasional) last night. We have recorded the statements of the victim and witness. We will complete the investigation as soon as possible,” he said.

A Barisan National (BN) supporter, Faizul Fadli Yaakob, 31, was taken to hospital with head injuries after being hit with a stick, allegedly by a PAS supporter.

About 46 percent of voters here had turned out to vote by 12 noon, while in Sungai Besar, Selangor, about 45 percent turnout was recorded also at noon.

The BN candidate here, Mastura Mohd Yazid, arrived at Sekolah Kebangsaan Raja Perempuan Muzwin to cast her vote. She seeks to fill the seat of her late husband, Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad, who died in a helicopter crash in Sarawak last month.

The other contenders are Dr Ahmad Termizi of Amanah, Dr Najihatussalehah Ahmad of PAS and independent candidate Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary.

Last month’s helicopter tragedy also claimed the life of Sungai Besar MP Noriah Kasnon. A by-election for her seat is also being held today, with three contenders: BN’s Budiman Mohd Zohdi, Amanah’s Azhar Abdul Shukur, and Abdul Rani Osman of PAS.