Pelangai polls: EC chief hails young voters' enthusiasm

Abdul Ghani walking past queueing voters on Oct 7 morning. The EC chairman says the turnout among young people is more encouraging in Pelangai than in other recent by-elections. – BERNAMApic

BENTONG: The turnout among young voters in the Pelangai state by-election as at 11am Saturday (Oct 7) is encouraging, says Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Salleh.

He said this is a good development compared to several earlier by-elections.

"We can see that voters are coming early and waiting in long queues.

ALSO READ: Pelangai polls: Voting going smoothly, 32% turnout as of 11am

"In the past, young voters often came a little later. This shows that the enthusiasm of young people has changed," he told reporters after visiting a polling station in SM Felda Chemomoi.

Abdul Ghani also said he was confident that turnout would reach the 70% target when voting ends at 6pm.

"InsyaAllah, the weather does not seem too hot. I am calling on all voters to exercise their right in the duration we have proposed,” he said.

The Pelangai by-election in Pahang is seeing a three-cornered fight involving Barisan Nasional's Datuk Amizar Abu Adam, Kasim Samat of Perikatan Nasional and Independent candidate Haslihelmy DM Zulhasni.

ALSO READ: Pelangai polls: Over 16,000 voters to elect new assemblyman

The by-election is the fourth to be held after the 15th General Election (GE15) on Nov 19 last year.

The first three by-elections were for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat on Aug 12, and for the Pulai parliamentary seat and Simpang Jeram state seat, which took place simultaneously on Sept 9. – Bernama