The voting process has begun for the Bukit Gelugor by-election as early as 8am at 17 voting centres today.

The locations involved in the voting process include SMK Air Itam Jalan Thean Teik, SK Seri Indah Jalan Thean Teik, SJK (C) Kong Min (Cawangan 2) Jalan Paya Terubong, SK Seri Relau Jalan Paya Terubong, SJK (C) Kong Min (Cawangan 1) Jalan Balik Pulau, SJK (C) Chiao Nan Jalan Thean Teik, SK Seri Aman, SK Ayer Itam, SMK Chung Ling Kampong Baru, SM Chung Ling (Persendirian) Jalan Air Itam, SMK Georgetown Lorong Batu Lanchang, SK Batu Lanchang, SM Jenis Kebangsaan Chung Hwa Confucian Island Park, SMK Hamid Khan Lorong Delima Lapan Island Glades, SK Bukit Gelugor, SMK Datuk Hj Mohd. Nor Ahmad Gelugor and SK Sungai Gelugor.

The by-election will see a four-corner fight between DAP's Ramkarpal Singh Deo, Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) vice president Datuk Huan Cheng Guan and two independent candidates, Mohamed Nabi Bux Mohd Abd Sathar and Abu Backer Sidek Mohamad Zan.

This was despite the last-minute withdrawal of Abu Backer Sidek yesterday, in which state acting election director Azizal Ahmad declared the move as invalid.

All four candidates had previously said they were confident of winning the seat which was made vacant after the death of its MP Karpal Singh last April 17.

All voting centres are expected to be closed at 5pm with election results expected to be announced as early as 9pm.