KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — Voter turnout for the Pelangai state by-election in Pahang has reached 44 per cent of 16,383 as at noon, the Election Commision (EC) announced on polling day today.

EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh is confident the turnout will reach 70 per cent at the close of polls, news portal Malaysiakini reported.

"On voter turnout, I saw an encouraging trend at polling streams for the younger age groups.

"From our observation, many young voters started coming in droves since early morning and there were long queues,” he was quoted telling reporters after visiting a polling station at SMK Felda Chemomoi.

Abdul Ghani said he observed that young voters in Pelangai had gone out to cast their ballots in the morning, contrasting with past poll trends where those in the younger age groups did so in the afternoon.

He said this showed the younger generation’s eagerness to take part in the democratic process, the news portal reported.

"As of 10am, voter turnout was around 21 percent. And based on this trend, insha-Allah, we expect to reach 70 percent overall turnout by the end of this polling day,” he was quoted as saying.

He had yesterday targeted voter turnout at 75 per cent.

The Meteorological Department forecasted clear skies in Pelangai in the morning and thunderstorms in one or two places in the evening today during the current southwest monsoon season.

BN is seeking to defend the state seat and has fielded Datuk Amizar Abu Adam who is up against two challengers, Kasim Samat of Perikatan Nasional and independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasni.