EC unhappy with low voter turnout

LUNDU: The Election Commission (EC) is not happy with the underwhelming voter turnout at four of the 16 polling stations in the Tanjong Datu constituency, which closed at noon Saturday.EC Chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hashim Abdullah said the SJK Chung Hua Sarayan Selarat, SK Stoh and Kampung Rambungan polling stations recorded a voter turnout of 63 per cent, 65 per cent and 77 per cent, respectively.

The EC, he said, is still waiting for the latest voter turnout figures from the Telok Melano polling station.

"I am not happy with the figures as we had expected a greater voter turnout (at the four polling stations).

"We set a high target in voter turnout for the by-election as we want to encourage more people to come out and vote," he told reporters at the State Information Department's media centre here Saturday.

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The commission had aimed for a 75 per cent voter turnout for the Tanjong Datu by-election, five per cent higher than the goal set in the 11th state election last year.

He urged Tanjong Datu folk, who have yet to come out and exercise their rights, to not take the by-election lightly.

"Voters should do away with the mindset that this by-election will not change anything," he said.

He also praised elderly voters who had come out to vote early.

Hashim said the polling day has so far proceeded smoothly without any untoward incidents.

In a statement after the press conference, the EC said a total of 56 per cent of 9,771 ordinary registered voters have already cast their votes.

Meanwhile, three more polling centres for the Tanjong Datu state by-election closed at 5pm, concluding the voting process at all the 16 polling centres.

The last three polling centres to be closed are at Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Stunggang Lundu, Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Chung Hua, and Sekolah Kebangsaan Bumiputera Lundu.

Previously four polling centres closed at 12 noon, another four at 1pm and five at 4pm.

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The voting process went smoothly even though it rained early Saturday morning, gloomy weather at noon and improved weather in the afternoon.

Now the spotlight is focused on the Lundu Community Hall, which also served as the venue of the nomination centre, early voting counting centre and vote tallying centre.

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