GEORGE TOWN – Voting resumed at a polling centre in Paya Terubong here after it was halted for close to one hour after a ballot box was found to be left unsealed during the Penang state election today.
The Paya Terubong candidate from Pakatan Harapan (PH), Wong Hon Wai, informed that the returning officer for the constituency had investigated the matter, and had instructed for voting to recommence about two hours later.
Wong said that the decision was made solely by the officer, who represented the Election Commission (EC) on this matter.
“I have no say. It is entirely up to the EC to decide on this matter,” he said when contacted.
Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Ooi Ghee Oon said the box was from the 15th voting stream at the SK Seri Relau polling centre.
After discovering that the box was left unsealed, Ooi had alerted EC over this issue.
A total of 177 ballot papers were already inside the unsealed box.
Wong said that the returning officer has rectified the technical flaws. Voting has since resumed.
Meanwhile, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin posted on social media about an elderly woman’s courageous act of voting today despite being warded for an undisclosed ailment at the Penang Hospital.
“This voter is an exemplary character,” said Sim.
She had voted for the Batu Uban constituency at the Youth and Sports Complex polling station earlier today. – The Vibes, August 12, 2023
