MIRI – With the state still seeing a number of Covid-19 cases, political observers are worried that voter turnout may be below 50% or the lowest in history, impacting representation in certain constituencies.
Rights group Rise of Sarawak Efforts chairwoman Ann Teo told The Vibes that this may lead to questions on election legitimacy for selected constituencies and even for the state as a whole.
“With the pandemic still ongoing, people may refuse to go out and vote.
“If the Election Commission (EC) goes ahead and fixes polling within the next few weeks, the voter turnout may be the lowest in any public election history in this state.
“We in Sarawak already see low voter turnout in many rural districts during normal times, what more during this Covid-19 crisis.
“The EC must think very carefully about this aspect.”
Teo said it is shocking that ruling coalition Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is going ahead with the election.
“What GPS did is to retain power at any costs by calling for an election now as it is afraid of new voters coming in via Undi18 and automatic voter registration that will take effect next year.”
Meanwhile, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau is also concerned over low voter turnout.
Ngau, who is branch chairman of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, said there are many polling stations in his constituency that serve a small population.
“That is why there must be careful planning on how to get as many voters to cast their ballots in a safe manner, taking into account measures to prevent possible spread of infections.
“It is a big challenge. We need to work very closely with the EC team on this.”
Ngau said since the state election is on, everyone must be well prepared.
He added that he wants to meet the EC team for his constituency as soon as possible to discuss ground preparations.
Telang Usan has more than 300 longhouses over an area as big as the state of Johor.
Asked if very low voter turnout in specific polling stations will cause result disputes, Ngau said he prefers to prevent that from happening by making an effort to encourage bigger turnout.
The state election is officially on after Governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud dissolved the state assembly on Wednesday after getting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s consent. – The Vibes, November 5, 2021
