SIBU: The five candidates for the Kanowit parliamentary seat may not secure many votes from the Undi18 cohort in the 15th General Election (GE15), says incumbent MP Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.
"There are about 10,000 new voters in Kanowit. But most of them are not staying here as they are either working or studying outstation," the Deputy Health Minister II said.
While he hopes many of these new voters will return to cast their votes on Polling Day on Nov 19, he is still unsure.
In the event of serious flooding, as Kanowit's rural areas can be prone to floods, he said related agencies will be mobilised to help the residents get to the voting centres.
"I will campaign according to the GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) manifesto as for the first time, we are not in any coalition," he said.
Aaron, 64, who has been the four-term MP since 2004, is being challenged by four other candidates for the seat which made it one of the most crowded seats in the state.
His challengers are from Pakatan Harapan with three Independent candidates.
The five-cornered clash includes PKR's Mohd Fauzi Abdullah @ Joseph Nyambong, 61, and three independent candidates - Dr Elli Luhat, 65, Chen Nyuk Fa, 60, and Michael Lias, 61.
Aaron's candidacy was supported by his proposer Penghulu Ugap Seribu and seconder Penghulu Ron Ugai.
He arrived at the nomination center at the Kanowit Auditorium at 9am accompanied by over 1,000 supporters.
The five candidates were confirmed by Returning Officer Jackeline August@Jahar.