Ayer Kuning polls: Determined voters overcome obstacles to cast their ballots

Physically challenged S. Puspanathan, 43, was accompanied by his 40-year old wife to cast his vote. The former programming engineer had his legs amputed last year due to a virus infection

TAPAH: A physically challenged man was among those eager to fulfill their civic duty at the Ayer Kuning by-election on Saturday (April 26) morning.

S. Puspanathan, 43, arrived at the SK Ayer Kuning polling centre accompanied by his 40-year-old wife, M. Vikkeneswari. The former programming engineer lost his left leg last year due to a viral infection but remained determined to cast his vote.

"I'm a responsible citizen and that is why I chose to fulfill my responsibilities as a Malaysian citizen. Despite my condition, I have the right to vote and that's why I'm here," he said.

Umi Kalsum Mat Samat, 33, brought along her six year old child (left) and 10-month-old baby to the SK Ayer Kuning polling centre.

Also spotted at the polling station was Umi Kalsum Mat Samat, 33, who brought along her two young children, a 10-month-old baby and her six-year-old daughter.

"This is the first time I’ve brought my children along while voting. They were a little confused by the crowd at first, but I believe they’ll get used to it over the years," she said.

Umi hopes the early exposure will help her children understand the importance of voting and the role they will one day play in shaping the country’s future.

The Ayer Kuning by-election today (April 26) will see a three-corner fight between Barisan Nasional's Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir, Parti Sosialis Malaysia's Bawani KS, and Perikatan Nasional's Abd Muhaimin Malek.

A total of 31,315 registered voters will cast their votes at one of the 19 polling centres, which comprise 63 channels. The polling stations will be open from 8am to 6pm, except for the polling centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Toh Tandewa Sakti, which will close at 4pm.

The vote counting process will take place at Dewan Merdeka.

Election Commission secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak stated on Friday (April 25) that they expect the official results to be announced at around 9pm on Saturday.

The Ayer Kuning by-election was called following the death of its incumbent, Ishsam Shahruddin, on Feb 22 due to a heart attack. In the 15th General Election (GE15) in November 2022, Ishsam, also the Tapah Umno Chief, won the Ayer Kuning seat with a majority of 2,213 votes in a five-cornered fight.