GE14 | Reports have surfaced of voters being stuck in long queues for hours at various polling stations, prompting calls for the Election Commision to extend the voting period.

Taking to Twitter, caretaker Selangor menteri besar Azmin Ali vented his frustration over the situation.

“EC chairperson (Mohd Hashim Abdullah) must resolve this issue immediately. Don't sleep.

“The EC chairperson must allow a time extension beyond 5pm to allow those in the polling stations to cast their ballots,” he added.

The PKR deputy president said the EC listed 750 voters for each stream and this would make it impossible for votes to be cast by 5pm.

“Is this a way to deny the citizens' right to vote for Pakatan Harapan?” he asked.

Former Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan said the voting period should be extended for an hour from 5pm to 6pm.

“They must accommodate voters not disenfranchise them.

“I believe EC has a discretion as everyone has a constitutional right to vote as long as they arrive by 5pm. But alternatively, extend time. That's provided for,” she said.

PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah and Bersatu strategist Rais Husin also made a similar call.

“It is not their (voters) fault there are administrative challenges and delays as admitted by the EC chief

“If they close at 5pm sharp, this will deny voters their constitutional right as citizens to vote because they are there,” Rais told Malaysiakini.

He pointed out that EC had the discretion to extend the voting time and noted how polling centres in Selangor were previously open till 7pm to accommodate long voter queues.