PERIKATAN Nasional has retained the Sungai Bakap state seat in Penang, securing a 4,133-vote majority, according to early unofficial results.

An hour after the counting of ballots began, PN’s Abidin Ismail was believed to have obtained more than 14,000 votes to the 9,600 obtained by Joohari Ariffin of Pakatan Harapan.

Election observers said there had been a lower turnout of voters, with an unofficial count showing total turnout at 68%. Although more Malay voters cast their ballots, fewer Chinese and Indian voters were believed to have turned out.

A total of 39,279 people were eligible to vote.