EC workers happy to help voters cast ballots

SG BAKAP BY-ELECTION | Polling station guides perform an important task every time there is an election to ensure the smoothness of the voting process at a polling centre.

For Nurul Nadira Ahmad Kamal, 22, the rare opportunity to become an Election Commission (EC) worker is a cherished experience because she enjoys serving the community, the elderly, and the disabled.

The private sector employee from Kuala Ketil, Kedah said the Sungai Bakap by-election was the third election she has served as a guide after the 15th general election in 2022 and the state election last year.

“It’s interesting (being a guide); we experience different situations and this is also an opportunity to do social work for the community,” she told Bernama at SJKC Boon Beng, a national-type Chinese school near Bandar Tasek Mutiara in Simpang Ampat in Nibong Tebal today.

Nurul Fatini Azwa Abdul Razak, 26, was excited about her first time as an EC worker after being urged by her mother Zaitun Haroon, 54, who has been a guide twice, to sign up.

However, in this by-election, her mother was assigned to SK Seri Tasek while her father, also an election worker, was placed at SJKC Boon Beng.

Meanwhile, Muhamad Syafiq Saleh, 35, said he was keen to serve as an EC worker to see the democratic process up close and facilitate voters’ affairs.

The youth from Bagan Tiang, Perak, said it is a rare opportunity as general elections are only held once every five years.

A total of 39,151 voters were eligible to cast their ballots today, with 5,935 registered to do so at SJKC Boon Beng.

The by-election is a straight fight between Pakatan Harapan candidate Joohari Ariffin and Perikatan Nasional’s Abidin Ismail. The seat fell vacant after the demise of incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff of PAS on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.

- Bernama

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