PUTRAJAYA, Aug 3 — The Election Commission (EC) today set September 9 as the polling day for by-elections in the parliamentary seat of Pulai as well as the state seat of Simpang Jeram, both of which are in Johor.

Both seats were vacated following the death of its incumbent Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah in Alor Setar, Kedah nearly three weeks ago.

He was also the domestic trade and cost of living minister and the deputy president of Parti Amanah Negara, the PAS splinter party that he and others formed following a clear-out of the progressive faction from the Islamist party in 2015.

EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh said nomination day has been set for August 26 and early voting on September 5.

"For the P.161 Pulai seat there are 166,653 registered voters comprising 165,700 regular voters, 927 police and 26 overseas voters.

"As for the N.13 SImpang Jeram state seat there are 40,379 comprising 40,373 regular voters and six overseas voters,” he told a news conference at the EC headquarters here.

The budget allocated to hold by-elections is RM6 million.

Those wishing to check their voter status can go to http://mysprsemak.spr.gov.my or check the MySPR app or call the EC hotline at 03-88937018/7218/7124.

Abdul Ghani said the EC encourages voters to go out and cast their ballots and will continue to push its "Jom Kita Mengundi” or "Let's Go Out and Vote” awareness campaign through announcements on social media and banners in strategic locations.