Who will win tomorrow's crucial by-election? For PAS, it depends on whether the alleged phantom voters would turn up.

Party leader Husam Musa is satisfied with the backing the party received from the Pengkalan Pasir voters since the campaign for the by-election in Kelantan began 10 days ago.

"We are grateful for the response we got from the people especially the fence sitters. I believe at this moment we are leading Umno slightly," he told a press conference yesterday.

He believes that PAS candidate Hanifa Ahmad would see an increase in support from Chinese voters and dissatisfied Umno members.

However, he was quick to stress that this confidence came with clause: if the election process went accordingly.

PAS has the constant fear of being sabotaged in the election process and being haunted by phantom voters.

"We received reports that there could be some undemocratic practices in the last 24 hours. So we have to ensure that our security is tight especially the ballot boxes," said Husam.

Election laws

PAS secretary-general Kamaruddin Jaafar said party workers are observing several buses, believed to be used to ferry outside voters, presumably 'phantom voters', into Pengkalan Pasir.

"We are aware about the movements of these people. We will continue to do so and will act if we have evidence," he added.

Husam later spent several hours at the town's registration department when he heard allegations that temporary identity cards were being issued.

PAS is certain that the flaws in the election laws, which allow the abuse of the electoral process, would determine its fate tomorrow.

"Do you think some longkang (drain) problems will cause our defeat? I doubt it. Development? Majority of them here are happy that the town is second best after Kota Bharu.

"It's the phantom voters that would tarnish this election and we cannot just sit by and watch," said party worker Wan Johari when met.

What is more worrying, he noted, was that Umno leaders have openly said that they were expecting a huge voter turnout.

"How do they know that all these voters are coming out especially during the rainy season. It is as if they have something up their sleeves," he said.

Non-existent issue

However, Kelantan Umno liaison chief Annuar Musa said PAS was being paranoid over a non-existent issue.

"The so-called phantom voters are actually Pengkalan Pasir people working outside. There are quite a number of them. They are not ghosts, they are genuine voters.

"So PAS does not need to check whether these voters have Adam's apples or if their legs touch the ground!" he said.

Annuar is confident that these outside voters would be a determining factor for Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Hanafi Mamat.

"They are voters who have seen development in other BN-ruled states. I am confident that they will choose a party that would benefit the town and its people," he said.

Meanwhile, sources within Umno said Annuar should not be so confident as he is a liability to the party. "If we lose, he is to be blamed".