JOHOR BARU: Encouraging turnout at polling centres here on Saturday (July 11) morning, particularly among young and first-time voters, points to growing public awareness, said PKR vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa.
She said the mood had been upbeat since the night before, pointing to the heavy traffic she saw while travelling between Kuala Lumpur and Johor Baru during the campaign.
“For me, these are good signs that the people are becoming more aware, especially the young and possibly first-time voters,” she said after casting her ballot at SMK Bandar Baru Uda in Larkin.
She said they appeared determined to carry out their responsibility to vote and to choose leaders who could help steer the state and bring wellbeing to the people.
Zaliha, who travelled from her home in Kulai to the polling centre, said the schools she passed along the way had drawn encouraging numbers of early voters.
“I think many of them also know that the weather is expected to turn rainy by midday and in the evening, so they came out early,” she said.
“So I consider it very encouraging.”
Asked about her expectations for turnout, she said the party had campaigned intensively to bring outstation voters home to cast their ballots.
She said the roads had been packed throughout her journey between the north and south, while the Causeway was also congested the day before.
“This is what we have been waiting for, for the turnout to reach 70%,” she said.
She said a 70% turnout would point to Pakatan Harapan having a good chance of taking over the Johor state government.
Polling results for the Johor elections is expected to trickle in on July 11 evening onwards.
