Mukhriz: Umno wants monsoon season polls for lower voter turnout

 

Umno's leadership is pushing for the 15th general election (GE15) to be held during the monsoon season to ensure not many people would turn up to vote, said Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir.

According to him, this is because Umno realises that it no longer commands the people's support and that the party stands a higher chance of winning if the voter turnout is low.

"The fewer people that come out to vote, the higher the chances of Umno winning, as witnessed in the Malacca and Johor state elections.

"In Johor, almost 45 percent eligible voters did not come out to vote, while many did not vote for Umno or BN," Utusan Malaysia quoted Mukhriz saying after attending a function in Jerlun, Kedah, today.

The opposition is also fragmented, giving Umno the chance to form the government with just 30 percent votes in their favour, Mukhriz added.

"Umno wants to use the same formula - having an election where many people won't come out to vote. That is when it will mobilise their hardcore supporters to 'complete' the vote bank for the party to win the election," he said.

Mukhriz further urged the people not to buy into the Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's remark that the opposition is 'afraid' to face the upcoming election.

Zahid, who is also BN chairperson, had recently said that the coalition is prepared to wade through floods if GE15 is held during the monsoon season.

Critics have dubbed Zahid's call as a desperate move to escape the litany of corruption charges he is currently standing trial for. - Mkini