Bukit Batok by-election: PAP's Murali clinches seat with 61.21% of the votes

THE ruling People's Action Party (PAP) retained its Bukit Batok parliamentary seat when its candidate, Murali Pillai, won the by-election there on Saturday night.

The 48-year-old lawyer secured 61.21 per cent of the valid votes, with his only opponent, Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) secretary-general Chee Soon Juan, getting 38.79 per cent.

The by-election's Returning Officer, Energy Market Authority chief executive Ng Wai Choong, announced the results at 11.28pm, about three-and-a-half hours after the polls closed at 8pm.

The final margin didn't come as too much of a surprise. Earlier in the evening, at about 9.25pm, the Elections Department revealed the sample count results that showed Mr Murali in the lead with 61 per cent.

The sample count result was derived from a random batch of 100 ballot papers from each of the nine polling stations in Bukit Batok.

Mr Murali's victory means he will become a member of parliament (MP) for the first time. He was formerly part of the PAP's five-member team that narrowly lost to the Workers' Party in Aljunied at last year's general election.

The Bukit Batok seat was vacated in March after the PAP's former MP David Ong resigned amid allegations of an extra-marital affair.

11.47pm:

11.41pm:

11.40pm:

11.37pm:

11.37pm: