MELAKA: The long Deepavali holiday break could have seen more Melaka voters travelling or returning to their hometowns, particularly those working and living outside the state.
However, Barisan Nasional Kelebang incumbent Datuk Lim Ban Hong hoped that voters had made arrangements to cast their ballots, stressing the importance of participating in the election.
“An election is an opportunity for the people to express their views and participate in shaping the state’s future,” he said.
On expected voter turnout, Lim said it would depend on several factors, including holiday arrangements, weather, traffic conditions and public interest in election issues.
He said it was too early to accurately predict the final turnout but hoped voters would participate in large numbers.
“I hope voters will turn out in large numbers so that more voices can be expressed through the democratic process,” he said.
He added that the priority was to ensure a smooth, transparent and fair election, with voters making informed decisions after considering policies and performance of the contesting parties.
Meanwhile, another contender for the Kelebang seat, Farzana Hayani Mohd Nasir (pic) is racing against time to reach every corner of the constituency.
The 26-year-old Pakatan Harapan candidate, better known as Nana, has been combining house-to-house visits, community programmes and walkabouts with digital campaigning to reach younger voters, particularly those living outside Melaka.
However, she acknowledged that winning over voters remained a challenge, particularly as a young candidate facing more experienced political figures.
“Experience should not be measured by age alone.
“As long as we have determination, sincerity and a commitment to helping the people, going to the ground and identifying local problems, voters will have confidence in us,” she said.
Farzana said her final campaign efforts would also focus on encouraging voters working or studying outside Melaka to return home to cast their ballots.
Aside from Lim and Farzana, Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad of Bersatu and Young Jie Yu (Bersama) are also contesting the Kelebang seat.
