NIBONG TEBAL – Pakatan Harapan (PH) is working on getting more voters in Sg Bakap to come out to vote before polling closes at 6pm today, given the low voter turnout at mid-day.
The Election Commission (EC) reported that the turnout had only reached 38.3% as of 1pm.
Speaking to reporters, PH candidate Joohari Ariffin acknowledged the low turnout and speculated that it might be caused by voters still working or those self-employed having yet to cast their ballots.
“We (PH) are asking (voters) to come out in droves,” he told reporters when approached at the polling centre in SMK Bandar Tasek Mutiara, here.
As of 2pm, the voter turnout was 44.59%, according to revised updates by the EC.
Earlier today, Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who is also the state PH chief, said the ruling coalition hoped for a turnout of 65% to ensure its chances of winning the state seat.
Joohari said he was optimistic of winning, and also hoped for support from Umno voters here, thus reversing the voting trend in last year’s state election where Umno supporters backed the PAS candidate.
“We hope that it (swing) happens today,” he said when asked about the possible swing of Umno votes to PH.
Joohari, who is in a straight fight with Perikatan Nasional’s Abidin Ismail of PAS, also said a think tank’s analysis that PH needed to gain at least 36% of Malay votes to wrest Sg Bakap from PAS was achievable.
“We want the Malays to be more aware that when it comes to selecting an assemblyman, it needs to be someone that is aligned with both the state and federal governments.”
The by-election is being held following the death of its incumbent, Nor Zamri Latiff of PAS, in late May.
Before it fell to PAS-PN in the state elections last year, Sg Bakap had been a PKR seat since 2008. – July 6, 2024