SHAH ALAM: Low voter turnout is a major concern for Kuala Selangor PKR division where re-votes will be held this Sunday following its postponement due to the discovery of a telecommunications jammer on Oct 28.
Kuala Selangor division chief hopeful Juwairiya Zulkifli expressed her concern as her observation showed that there is a trend of a decline in voters turnout when polls are postponed and called again.
“There was a poor voter turnout in Kedah when the polls was deferred and given a new date. I am worried that the trend in Kedah would also happen in Kuala Selangor.
“The current Deepavali celebration is expected to affect the turnout too as the Kuala Selangor division boasts close to 14,000 voters where 60 per cent to 70 per cent of them are Indian members. We have the highest number of Indian members in Selangor.
“They have told me that advanced holiday plans have been made prior to the postponement. I expect a decline of between 3,000 to 4,000 voters this Sunday,” Juwairiya told the New Straits Times Press today.
Juwairiya said the number of votes are crucial to determine who will be PKR’s number two leader in the fight between incumbent deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Rafizi Ramli.
She said for the deputy president’s position, the determining factor is not how many divisions either candidate wins but the number of votes garnered.
Despite foreseeing a reduced voters turnout, Juwairiya said the machinery of Mohamed Azmin and Rafizi will be geared up in its campaign, including going the extra length to encourage and ensure their members come out to vote.
“Kuala Selangor PKR will conclude the divisional elections for Selangor. We are the king maker and this is the last lap. It is vital that we get as many members as we can to vote.
“It is not about voting for me but this is about choosing PKR’s deputy president so let us focus on that,” she added.
Meanwhile, Juwairiya said the polling venue on Sunday have yet to be confirmed.
She also welcomed PKR central election committee chairman Datuk Rashid Din’s greenlight to allow candidates to inspect the polling venue following fears that the Kuala Selangor polls would be sabotaged again.
“We want a guarantee that there would be no elements of sabotage again. We are not saying we are doubting the committee but when there is a mismanagement, candidates have no choice but to intervene and assist to ensure there is integrity and transparency in the voting process.
“We hope that the security will be in place this Sunday and everything will proceed smoothly especially the telecommunications signal for the e-voting system. The committee must have back up plan for this,” said Juwairiya.
Meanwhile, Kuala Selangor district police chief Superintendent Md Asri A. Wahab said they are awaiting for the polling venue confirmation before planning its operations on Sunday.
