Kuala Besut by-election: BN retains seat with increased majority

BESUT - Barisan Nasional has retained the Kuala Besut state seat in Terengganu with a slight increase in majority, the Election Commission (EC) announced Wednesday.

Barisan's Tengku Zaihan Che Ku Rahman polled 8,288 votes, Pakatan Rakyat's Azlan Yusof polled 5,696 votes and there were 195 spoilt votes.

Barisan increased its majority to 2,592 votes, compared with the 2,434-vote majority in the May 5 general election.

The seat fell vacant following the death of Barisan's Dr A. Rahman Mokhtar on June 26.

When polling closed at 5pm, the EC reported 14,108 or 79.78% voter turnout, with  13,188 votes cast at eight polling stations, nine postal votes and 911 early votes.

Barisan's win maintains the status quo, with the ruling coalition garnering 17 seats in the state assembly to Pakatan Rakyat's 15.

A win for PAS would have resulted in a hung state assembly.