MIRI – Politicians in Sarawak are in agreement that low voter turnout in the coming state polls will jeopardise the legitimacy of the election results.
Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the lynchpin of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) coalition, has weighed in on the matter.
Opposition party Sarawak PKR has also gone public on this, alongside independent parties like the Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party (Aspirasi).
They seem to agree with Sarawak Bersih’s view that the possibility of a low turnout on polling day is very real due to pandemic worries, as the state is still trying to hold back the spread of the Delta variant.
Sarawak Bersih chairman Ann Teo had said the Election Commission (EC) must avoid a very low voter turnout as this will affect the legitimacy of results in specific constituencies, and may impact the overall results in the state.
State PKR information chief Abun Sui said estimations by his ground teams show the possibility of a below 50% turnout in many polling stations.
“Due to the fear of the coronavirus, and the fact that many voters may not be able to travel back to their home settlements, the turnout on polling day may be low.
“This will definitely bring the results into dispute, as the rakyat will question if a winner is not chosen by the majority.”
PBB vice-president Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah told reporters in Kuching today that GPS wants to see an at least 70% turnout.
“In past state elections, the turnout had always been about 70% to 80%. We want to see the same for this state election – or else a very low turnout can become the subject of disputes.
“People will question the legitimacy of the winning side. We don’t want this to happen.
“The EC must come up with measures that will encourage voters to turn out in high numbers, but in a manner where infection risks are avoided.”
Aspirasi chief Lina Soo told reporters during a press conference in Sibu that low voter turnout will be due to the fear of the rakyat over Covid-19 infections, anger over GPS and opposition parties for their ineffective politickings, and the manner in which the state polls have been rushed.
Soo said the rakyat long for change, but there are a lot of risks involved in coming out to vote.
“Many polling stations may see a less than 50% turnout.”
DAP national chairman Lim Kit Siang had told reporters in Melaka that he expects the state election and the coming Sarawak polls to see a turnout of below 30%.
Sarawak is facing the 12th state polls after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong consented to lift the local emergency before it expires in February.
The emergency was lifted on November 3, and GPS subsequently announced the dissolution of the state assembly.
The EC has 60 days from November 3 to carry out the state polls. – The Vibes, November 10, 2021
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