IPOH: First-time voter Ahmad Saufi Mhd Roslan, from Ayer Kuning, is both excited and nervous.
The 19-year-old student from Institute Kemahiran Mara in Sungai Petani, Kedah, returned on Thursday (April 24) to ensure he could vote.
Saufi, studying carpentry, plans to return to Sungai Petani on Saturday (April 26).
"Tomorrow (April 27) I have classes," he said before casting his vote at SK Sg Lesong near here on Saturday (April 26).
Saufi is the second of five siblings, with his older sister and mother arriving later to vote due to being busy cooking at home.
His father, Mhd Roslan Ghazali, 52, has voted in seven general elections.
Roslan, residing in Kg Sg Lesong and owning a furniture workshop, lost his index finger in a workplace accident in 2006.
"So this time I had to dip my little finger," he said.
"I fetched my son from Sg Petani on Thursday and will drive him back later today," he added.
Nur Husna Taib, 41, from Taman Di Awan, was the first to arrive at the polling station, aiming to vote quickly before assisting with political party-related work at Batu Masjid polling station.
"My house is about five minutes away. I was here before 7.30am," she said.
Umul Ilmah Mohd Toha, 53, undergoing dialysis, arrived with her son Mohamad Haiqal Azhar, 23.
Arriving in a wheelchair, Umul Ilmah remarked on her difficulty walking and tendency to tire easily.
"However, I made sure to fulfil my responsibility," said Umul Ilmah, who lives at the nearby Kampung Tengah.
Mohamad Haiqal, working in Nilai, Negri Sembilan, ensured his return to vote.
"I will be heading back to Nilai on Saturday (April 26)," he said.
Barisan Nasional's Ayer Kuning by-election candidate, Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir, arrived around 8.45am at the school to cast his vote.
He displayed his ink-stained index finger upon exiting the polling station.
"I want to show you I have already voted and fulfilled my responsibility as a voter.
"I observed the voting process at several streams just now, and all is ongoing smoothly and according to regulations set by the Election Commission," he said.
He added that after 14 days of campaigning, he now leaves the outcome to the voters' wisdom and judgement.
"So at this point, of course we can no longer campaign, but the hopes we conveyed during the campaign, we hope are realised on Saturday.
"I also hope voters come out early to vote. Hopefully, the weather is nice throughout the day," he concluded.
