The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) has extended the voting period for its Aiyo...What Lah?! award for sexist quotes in the Malaysian political scene by another 10 days, closing the voting on May 22 instead.

This is for JAG to reach its new aim to have at least 3,500 people vote for the awards before voting closes, which will be more than twice the number of people who voted and contributed to selecting the winners for the 2013 award.

Yu Ren Chung from the Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) told a press conference today that close to 1,000 people have already voted since voting opened on April 16.

“But we are aiming for at least 3,500 people to vote and we have extended the voting period,” he said.

The awards, which are conferred upon individuals and organisations that have made the most popular sexist remarks in the country, will take place on June 1 at Merdekarya, and will be hosted by Ribena Berry, a character portrayed by artist Jo Kukathas.

The Kelantan state government features heavily in the list of nominees , across seven categories.

Members of the public can vote at http://aiyohwatlah.tumblr.com/vote