GE14 | With a large number of voters raising grouses on the fixing of polling day for the 14th general election mid-week, the Selangor and Penang caretaker governments are looking into making the day a public holiday.

Penang caretaker chief minister Lim Guan Eng said the state is mulling to declare May 9, the polling day for GE14, a public holiday.

He will discuss the matter with caretaker state secretary Farizan Darus, Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, said.

However, he said the impact of a public holiday in Penang may not be 'that great', and urged caretaker prime minister Najib Abdul Razak to declare the day a public holiday to facilitate voters residing/working outstation, or overseas to return home to vote.

"Making Wednesday, or midweek, a polling day, seems to benefit the BN, as it expects a lower turnout, but it seems the EC's (Election Commission) announcement (on the polling day) has backfired as many voters are now more determined to return home to vote," Lim added.

In Selangor, caretaker menteri besar Azmin Ali said his administration would study whether the constitution allows giving a public holiday on polling day.

"I have spoken to state legal advisers on the steps that can be taken to allow people in Selangor to go out and vote in an orderly manner, as I see the EC's act (of announcing Wednesday as polling day) an irresponsible one.

"We have seen the feedback from the public and the Congress of Union of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) asking for May 9 to be declared a public holiday."

Azmin said this during his speech at an event to feat civil servants in Shah Alam today.

The EC yesterday announced that the polling day will fall on May 9, a Wednesday, while nomination day and early voting, will be on April 28 and May 5, respectively.