GE14 | Malaysians are already planning their trips back to their hometowns to vote in the 14th general election, set for May 9.

The Twitter hashtags #PulangMengundi and #CarPoolGE14 have been gaining traction since the Election Commission announced the polling date earlier today.

People are offering to fund or subsidise travel costs for other Malaysians, while others are offering to carpool back to their voting centres using these hashtags.

A Twitter user called ‘Klubbkidd’ appeared to have started the hashtag #PulangMengundi encouraging people to use it to find someone to help them to get to their voting areas.

“Ok... you know what. I’m starting the hashtag #PulangMengundi.

“If you have problems taking time off to vote, or can’t afford to, please use the hashtag and maybe someone can help,” his posting read.

“If you can spare to help to send someone home to #PulangMengundi, please check the hashtag and approach people who need a little bit of help to vote,” he wrote in a later tweet.

A number of people have already responded to his call, with some listing their transportation costs to go back to their hometowns to vote, while others have offered to help those in need.

Marina Mahathir is one of those who have said they would put in some money for this endeavour.

"I'm really awed by #PulangMengundi. Malaysians are so generous.

"Would love to help but not sure how yet. But putting aside some money to help people go home to vote," she tweeted.

Legal advisor Michelle Yesudas also tweeted that she had set aside a sum of RM300 for anyone needing financial assistance to travel to their voting centres, which was given out to three people.

Others are tweeting seeking help to fund their transportation costs to go home to vote.

“Hi, I'm traveling from Johor Baru to Kuala Lumpur for #PulangMengundi. Petrol and toll around RM300," said Twitter user 'Hamba Abdi Eh Abadi'.

Another Twitter user, ‘Shela Kawan Mamal’ said, "Hi, I will be traveling KUL-BKI-KUL (Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu) for #PulangMengundi, and the cheapest airfare is around RM350. Glad if someone can help me out."

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Meanwhile, for the #CarPoolGE14 hashtag, people are listing their availability to carpool with others headed in the same direction for the elections.

Others are putting out calls to look for someone who could give them a ride to their destination.

“We should utilise #CarPoolGE14. It does not matter who you vote for, go back to vote,” said Twitter user ‘Mohd Faridh Hafez’, who also included a template to list out carpool specifications.

Twitter users have also expressed pride and said that they feel touched by the goodwill being shown by Malaysians to help their fellow citizens vote.

A Facebook group titled ‘Jom Balik Undi (Car Pool)’, which was set up two weeks ago, has also seen a surge in activity since the polling date announcement.

Similar to the hashtag on Twitter, people in the Facebook group are offering to carpool, or looking for someone to carpool with.

EC chairperson Mohd Hashim Abdullah announced earlier today that polling will fall on May 9, with the nomination of candidates taking place on April 28.

The weekday polling date caused an immediate uproar, with opposition politicians, civil society leaders and netizens questioning why polling is being held on a Wednesday.