GEORGE TOWN – DAP is close to pushing the panic button because, with less than two hours to go before voting ends for the 15th state election in Penang, the voter turnout here is at a disappointing mark of below 50% as of noon – below the party’s expectations of at least 60%.
As of 1pm, the Election Commission (EC) reported a 46% voter turnout in Penang.
DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng told journalists after visiting the SMKJ Chung Hwa Confucian polling centre here that the average turnout has been below what was seen in the general election last year, which was 50% by noon.
Lim expressed hope that all voters should come out to exercise their democratic rights and cast their ballots in the historic 15th state election.
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This is the first time that Penang is holding its state election separately from the parliamentary election since the country’s independence.
There are 40 state seats up for grabs here with DAP in the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) unity coalition pitted against third voice parties, independents and its main rival, Perikatan Nasional (PN).
The EC earlier predicted an 85% turnout today, saying it will surpass the 74.4% recorded last year, but it now seems unlikely, unless there is a last-minute surge.
DAP veteran Jeffery Chew Gim Eam also noted that the young voting streams also seemed slower than anticipated compared to last year's election.
Perhaps the dreaded aspect of fatigue is setting into the psyche of voters here, Chew said.
In another development, a voter who wore shorts was apparently stopped from voting by EC officials at a voting station in Berapit, Bukit Mertajam.
The PH candidate for Berapit, Heng Lee Lee, confirmed the incident and said that after consulting with the election officials, the earlier order was rescinded as there is no definitive dress code applicable for voters, but they should at least wear decent attire.
According to Sin Chew Daily, a voter was allegedly ordered to return back home and change his attire after he was found to be wearing pants that did not cross the knee.
However, Heng said her election team had clarified the matter with the EC and the voter was subsequently allowed to exercise his democratic right. – The Vibes, August 12, 2023
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