LUNDU: Two early voting centres for the Tanjong Datu state by-election opened at 8am Sunday.



They are the Lundu Community Hall in Kampung Sungai Lundu and Sempadi Camp ULS Hall.



A total of 188 voters or 1.9% of the 9,959 registered voters in the by-election comprised early voters who would cast their votes at these two centres.



Eighteen polling stations, which include the two centres, will be opened for voters with polling day set on Feb 18.



The Tanjong Datu by-election is being held following the death of its incumbent Tan Sri Adenan Satem, who was also Sarawak's fifth Chief Minister, from heart complications on Jan 11 at the Sarawak Heart Centre, Kota Samarahan.



The Barisan Nasional candidate in the by-election is Adenan's widow Puan Sri Jamilah Anu.



At the Kampung Sungai Lundu Community Hall, Sergeant Major Mohd Johan Abdullah from the Sarawak contingent police headquarters was the first policeman to cast his early vote at the centre.



Mohd Johan said he came from Kampung Stunggang Dayak, a village in Tanjong Datu, and had been exercising his right to vote since he was 25 years old.



According to statistics from the Election Commission (EC), 101 police personnel and their spouses would be voting early in this community hall.



The intermittent rain did not hinder military personnel and their spouses from casting their votes at the Firing Range Unit of the Sempadi military camp near here.



Some 87 people are expected to cast their votes at the centre, which opens from 8am until 5pm.



EC chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hashim Abdullah and Sarawak EC director Datuk Takun Sunggah and First Division Military Commander Maj-Gen Datuk Stephen Mundaw were among those who observed the early voting process at the camp.



Jamilah will be challenged by PBDS Baru's Rapelson Richard Hamit and State Reform Party Sarawak (STAR) candidate Johnny Bob Aput in a three-cornered fight. - Bernama