According to the federal gazette issued on 30 March 2018, the Pengkalan Kota constituency is divided into 9 polling districts.

[4] This state seat encompasses the eastern part of George Town's UNESCO World Heritage Site, specifically around much of Weld Quay.

Towards the end of the 19th century, the Port of Penang's trade boom led to a growth of harbour-related jobs around this particular locality, which also attracted increasing numbers of Chinese and Indian labourers to satiate the demand for manpower.

The newer neighbourhood of Macallum Street Ghaut, which was reclaimed from the sea in the 1970s, also falls under this state seat.

After Choy's death in 1980, a by-election for the Pengkalan Kota constituency was held, in which Lim Kean Siew of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) defeated three other candidates.