BENTONG, Oct 7 — The turnout among young voters in the Pelangai state by-election at 11 am was encouraging, said Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh.
He said this is a good development compared to several previous by-elections.
"We can see voters are coming early and waiting in long queues. In the past, young voters often came a little later. This shows that the enthusiasm of young people has changed," he said to the press after visiting a polling station in SMK Felda Chemomoi today.
Abdul Ghani is confident that turnout will reach the 70 per cent target when voting ends at 6pm.
"InsyaAllah, the weather does not seem too hot. I am calling on all voters to exercise their right in the proposed duration,” he said.
The Pelangai by-election sees a three-cornered fight between Barisan Nasional's Datuk Amizar Abu Adam, Kasim Samat of Perikatan Nasional, and Independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasni.
The by-election for the Pelangai state seat is the fourth being held after the 15th general election (GE15) on November 19 last year.
The first three by-elections held were for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat on August 12, and for the Pulai Parliamentary seat and Simpang Jeram state seat, which took place simultaneously on September 9.
— Bernama
