Padang Serai voters excited to finally cast ballots

Voters in Padang Serai, especially those casting ballots for the first time, appeared to be in high spirits for polling today.

The Padang Serai election in Kedah was postponed following the death of Pakatan Harapan’s candidate and incumbent M Karupaiya a few days before the 15th general election (GE15) on Nov 19.

First-time voters and siblings Mohd Muzammal Rosli, 26, and his younger brother Zulfazli Rosli, 23, from Serat Batu in Padang Serai, were excited to finally be able to exercise their right to vote.

Muzammal said he was anxiously waiting for polling day after being disappointed by the delay during GE15.

“I feel like I am a man as I have been given the right to take part in electing the government of my choice. I am in the election process and my vote will ensure a good government and governance.

“I was upset when the election in Padang Serai was postponed during GE15, but it was unavoidable because of the death of one of the candidates,” he told Malaysiakini outside SK Guar Lobak.

His younger brother, Zulfazli, expressed excitement in being able to experience getting his finger dyed with indelible ink just as those he watched on TV do.

“My friends and I were talking about voting today. We feel like we have become adults as we have the right to vote.

“I am excited to dip my finger into the ink bottle to show that I’ve voted. I used to watch on TV people showing their fingers with the ink, I wanted to have the same feeling,” he added.

Meanwhile, 66-year-old Norhayati Ismail from Kuala Ketil, who voted earlier in Merbau Pulas, said she accompanied her 41-year-old son to SK Guar Lobak for him to cast his ballot.

Recognising the importance of voting, she said she encourages all her children to exercise their right to vote.

“I have three children and encourage them to vote as it is our democratic right, duty, and obligation to practise the right to elect the government of our choice,” she added.

Meanwhile, Firdaus Yusoff, 33, a technician from Lumut, Perak, said he brought his wife to Padang Serai for her to vote.

“She asked me to take her here to vote as she hails from Kampung Terat Batu near here. I don’t want to disappoint her so I took leave to do so.

“I am happy she fulfilled her democratic duty in casting her vote,” he added.

Polling in Padang Serai started at 8am at 46 voting centres with 230 voting streams.

Polling for the Tioman state seat in Pahang is also taking place today.

Election Commission (EC) chairperson Abdul Ghani Salleh said they are targeting a lower turnout rate of between 60 and 75 percent today as it is a working day.

As of 3pm, the turnout for Padang Serai is 57 percent while it is 50 percent for Tioman.

Ghani said he expects the results for both Padang Serai and Tioman to be announced by 10pm.

The contest for Padang Serai is a six-cornered fight among Harapan candidate Mohamad Sofee Razak, C Sivarraajh (BN), Azman Nasrudin (PN), Hamzah Abd Rahman (Pejuang), Mohd Bakhri Hashim (Warisan), and independent candidate Sreanandha Rao.

Sivarraajh had since withdrawn and urged his supporters to vote for the Harapan candidate following the two coalitions’ pact in forming the federal government. Bakhri also withdrew from the race.

Nevertheless, their names remained on the ballot papers.

Candidates with highest votes will be declared winners despite withdrawal

63pct voter turnout for Padang Serai, 54pct for Tioman as of 4pm

More than 160,000 in Padang Serai, Tioman will be voting today

Harapan's Padang Serai candidate optimistic due to last-minute support

Padang Serai: BN-Harapan struggles with voters' confusion, PN confident of gains

Sivarraajh urges BN supporters to vote Harapan in Padang Serai