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Votes counted in Malaysian poll Malaysia's Anwar claims vote win
(about 3 hours later)
Votes are being counted in Penang, Malaysia, after a by-election in which opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is expected to return to parliament. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has won a landslide victory in a by-election in Penang, his party claims.
"We won already. We are far ahead," said Ginie Lim, spokeswoman for Mr Anwar's People's Justice Party, but she did not detail the size of the win.
Votes are still being counted and there is no official result in the poll, which may return Mr Anwar to parliament after a decade's absence.
Turnout was high, and there was a heavy police presence around polling booths.Turnout was high, and there was a heavy police presence around polling booths.
Mr Anwar is the favourite to win, despite facing charges of sodomy - claims he adamantly denies, saying the accusations are politically motivated. Mr Anwar is running for the seat despite facing charges of sodomy - claims he adamantly denies, saying the accusations are politically motivated.
The 61-year-old has been trying to make his political comeback since his ban on seeking public office expired in April. The 61-year-old has been trying to make his political comeback since a ban on seeking public office expired in April.
'Titanic struggle''Titanic struggle'
Mr Anwar is taking on Arif Shah Omar, for the ruling Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition.
Just a single seat is at stake, but the event has transfixed Malaysians, according to the BBC correspondent in Kuala Lumpur, Robin Brant.Just a single seat is at stake, but the event has transfixed Malaysians, according to the BBC correspondent in Kuala Lumpur, Robin Brant.
If Mr Anwar wins, it will not change the balance of power, but will herald his return to parliament for the first time in almost 10 years, and strengthen his hand in his campaign to become the next prime minister.If Mr Anwar wins, it will not change the balance of power, but will herald his return to parliament for the first time in almost 10 years, and strengthen his hand in his campaign to become the next prime minister.
A lot of money has been spent and the day-to-day business of government is on hold, our correspondent says.A lot of money has been spent and the day-to-day business of government is on hold, our correspondent says.
Profile: Anwar IbrahimBattle of the would-be leaders Thousands of supporters have flooded into the small area of Permatang Pauh to try to help or hinder Mr Anwar, and there is a heavy police presence in Penang. Profile: Anwar IbrahimBattle of the would-be leaders Thousands of rival supporters have flooded into the small area of Permatang Pauh to try to help or hinder Mr Anwar, and there is a heavy police presence in Penang.
"The Malaysians consider this a critical point in our history, whether we get the mandate to chart a new course for Malaysia or we should just be happy with the same corrupt establishment," Mr Anwar told reporters before the vote."The Malaysians consider this a critical point in our history, whether we get the mandate to chart a new course for Malaysia or we should just be happy with the same corrupt establishment," Mr Anwar told reporters before the vote.
Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak is leading the campaign on the other side. He told the BBC this was a "titanic struggle".Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak is leading the campaign on the other side. He told the BBC this was a "titanic struggle".
One senior government politician even described it as a "jihad".One senior government politician even described it as a "jihad".
Observers say government-controlled newspapers have led the assault on Mr Anwar, emphasising the sodomy allegations.Observers say government-controlled newspapers have led the assault on Mr Anwar, emphasising the sodomy allegations.
Voting irregularities have been uncovered, and several Israeli flags have also been put up - in an apparent attempt by government supporters to persuade the mainly Muslim voters that the opposition leader is sympathetic to the Jewish state.Voting irregularities have been uncovered, and several Israeli flags have also been put up - in an apparent attempt by government supporters to persuade the mainly Muslim voters that the opposition leader is sympathetic to the Jewish state.