Election panel hopes for 70% turnout in Chempaka

Fine weather forecast for by-election tomorrow for Nik Aziz's seat

KOTA BARU: The Election Commission hopes that more than 70% of the 20,390 electorate in the Chempaka state constituency would cast their votes on Sunday in the by-election for a successor to the late Nik Aziz Nik Mat.

The EC’s deputy chairman, Mohd Hashim Abdullah said the weather had improved, and security had been enhanced.

“We hope the fine weather stays tomorrow for the voters to cast their ballots without hassle,” he told reporters after scrutinising EC’s final preparations at Dewan Bitara Maktab Rendah Sains Mara, in Pengkalan Chepa.

The Meteorological Department has forecast a clear day all day tomorrow.

Mohd Hashim said 403 workers appointed by the EC had been briefed on their respective duties in the polling process.

On the low percentage of early voters on Wednesday, he said the EC would conduct a study and improve the existing system where needed. “I cannot make a conclusion because we still have to study the matter. I believe EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz will make a statement to the media later. But we will definitely make changes and improvement, and if necessary, coordinate with relevant parties,” he said.

On Wednesday, only 35.40 per cent or 530 of the 1,497 early voters comprising army personnel and their spouses had cast their votes, short of the EC’s 70% target.

The Chempaka by-election was called following the death of Nik Aziz, the former Kelantan menteri besar and PAS spiritual adviser.

The by-election will be a five-cornered contest between PAS and independent candidates.

PAS is represented by its Chempaka theology management chief Ahmad Fathan Mahmood@ Mahamad, 42; his rivals are former lecturer Izat Bukhary Ismail Bukhary, 48, Kelantan Perkasa former vice president Sharif Mahmood, 59; Fadzillah Hussin, 55, of the Association of Royal Descendants of Cik Siti Wan Kembang, and retired Health Ministry employee Aslah Mamat, 64.

- BERNAMA