PAS claims victory as polling ends

Jul 14, 09 3:48pm 5.31pm: There is serious traffic jam along the road from Manek Urai to main town of Kuala Krai. The main tally centre is in SMK Sultan Yahya Petra 1 in Kuala Krai. 5.20pm: PAS volunteers are removing all cars from the compound in front the party's campaign headquarters, so that its supporters can gather there to wait for the result. A big screen has been set up in front of the 'markas', which will be used to update supporters during the vote count. 5.05pm: PAS supporters are already celebrating the victory of its candidate Mohd Fauzi Abdullah in the Manek Urai by-election. When the 50-year-old fish wholesaler arrived at the PAS base around 4.40pm, he was greeted by shouts of 'Allahuakhbar' (God is great) and mobbed by supporters. Mohd Fauzi looked elated, indicating that victory is already in the bag. Earlier, Kelantan PAS election director Abdul Fatah Harun told Malaysiakini that based on exit polls, the party had won by a majority of nearly 2,000 votes. "I cannot remember the percentage of votes obtained by PAS and Umno. But we will win by 2,000 votes," he added. Mohd Fauzi, the Kuala Krai PAS division treasurer, is up against Umno/Barisan Nasional candidate Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat, 39. The nine polling stations closed at 5pm, with an 86 percent voter turnout recorded by 4pm.