PREDICTION Countless speeches have been heard, numerous accusations and counter-accusations have been hurled, much mutton curry has been consumed, many promises have been given and many goodies have been dispensed.

After eight days of campaigning in Hulu Selangor, all that is left is for the votes to be cast and counted.

Many reports indicate that this will be a close race with the balance seeming to tilt in favour of BN in the run-up to polling day.

I, however, stand by my earlier conclusion that this by-election is Pakatan Rakyat’s to lose.

I still think that PKR’s Zaid Ibrahim will win this important by-election and that he will win it with a majority of between 1,000 to 1,500 votes...