KEMAMAN: Both the Barisan Nasional (BN) and the Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidates for the Kemaman parliamentary seat by-election asked voters to turn up early to cast their ballots today.
They believe that voters should seize the opportunity to come out early due to the current promising weather, fearing it might rain in the later part of the day.
PN candidate Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said he hopes the voter turnout will exceed the 70 per cent target expected by the Election Commission (EC).
"It is very uncertain (weather) and since the weather is currently good, voters should come out early to vote and there is no need to worry in case it rains later....I hope the good weather will persist till evening.
"I hope for a higher (voter turnout)...it is a challenge in this by-election or any other by-elections (for voter turnout). I hope the voters' awareness will be different in Terengganu and we can expect a higher turnout," he told reporters after greeting PN party workers at Kuala Kerteh today.
Meanwhile, Barisan Nasional's General (Rtd) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor said he expects it to rain in the later part of the day.
"The current good weather might continue till about 2pm or 3pm....I think it will rain in the evening. The voter turnout will also depend on the weather.
"I hope voters will come out early to exercise their rights since each individual has a duty to perform. So far, I noticed the voting process progressing smoothly in a friendly atmosphere," he said.
As of 11am, the voter turnout in Kemaman has reached 27 per cent after recording 18 per cent an hour earlier. The constituency has 141,043 voters.
Kemaman will see a straight fight between Raja Mohamed Affandi and Ahmad Samsuri.
The by-election was called following the decision of the Terengganu Election Court on Sept 26 to annul the victory of Pas candidate Che Alias Hamid in the 15th general election.
