The result at KT will not immediately change the power balance in the country, but it will be the clearest sign yet of whether Malaysians want reforms to continue, or screech to a stop.
It is also a key referndum on the acceptability of deputy premier Najib Razak as leader of the Malay community and the entire nation.
Given such high stakes, no wonder signs of foul play have emerged. Pakatan leaders and watchdog groups believe that phantom voters will be fielded soon and allowed to slip past the EC.
It has been four hours since polling began and according to the Election Commission, about 42 percent of the electorate in Kuala Terengganu has voted so far.
Most of the those who voted this morning were the older group, while younger voters have yet to make their presence felt, the EC said.
Meanwhile, KeADILan information chief Tian Chua expressed concern that phantom voters might slip past the EC and pad up the result for the BN.
“How can the EC forecast a 90 percent turnout at 12 noon when only 42 percent have come out to vote so far. Usually in each election, the number that comes out to vote in the morning is more than those who come in the afternoon,” said Tian.
“On that basis, how can the EC made such a prediction for 90 percent turnout. We question and doubt their motive in coming out with such a statement.”
Observers also said there was still no clear trend yet as to who will triumph today at the make-or-break Kuala Terengganu by-election - Pakatan Rakyat’s Wahid Endut or Barisan Nasional’s Wan Ahmad Farid.
Nevertheless, most pundits believe the momentum will build up quickly in the afternoon, hopefully before the rain forecast by the Meteorological Department falls. Voting will stop at 5 pm and the EC hopes to announce the result by 10.30 pm.
Pakatan’s Wahid was the first to cast his vote, arriving at his polling centre way before the official starting time of 8 am.
“I don’t want to predict anything. I hope the voters will be more politically mature. This time I think I have no problems with the Chinese voters,” Wahid said.
Fielding phantom voters
The five-term state assemblyman for Wakaf Mempelam also urged the Election Commission to stay alert and ensure fair play.
“If the referee tak adil (is not fair), not only the players will be not satisfied, the penonton(spectators) and also the pengundi (voters) will be not satisfied,” Wahid said.
So far, the situation in regards to crowd and traffic appears to be under control. There are 80,229 registered voters, who are eligible to cast their ballot at the 36 polling centres set up around the constituency.
But it is the unusually high police presence of more than 6,000 personnel that is worrying the Pakatan.
“We are quite confident of winning, provided there are no phantom voters. The large police presence in KT has given rise to worries that they might be roped in to pose as phantom voters on polling day,” Tian said.
“Sure, it is partly meant to intimidate you and to give an impression that trouble may be brewing over the horizon, especially if Barisan Nasional does not win the by-election. But this is not the real reason,” said blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, who is campaigning for the Pakatan in KT.
“They are hoping that at least 20,000 to 25,000 of you will not come out to vote. This is quite normal because in any election the best we can expect is a 70% or so voter turnout. 30% of 80,000, therefore, comes to roughly 20,000 to 25,000 ‘no show’ voters.
“They can then always ‘safely’ increase the voter turnout to 75% and no one will be the wiser. This means they can pad the ballot boxes with about 4,000 to 5,000 ‘additional’ votes with no problems whatsoever. Now can you see why they need 6,000 police personnel in Kuala Terengganu?” added the indomitable Raja Petra, uncowed despite his recent arrest under the oppressive Internal Security Act.
Najib’s political neck on the line
Meanwhile, BN candidate Wan Ahmad Farid expressed confidence.
“God willing, voters will choose intelligently and vote for continuity through BN,” said the 46-year old former deputy home minister. “I have worked hard, I have faith that voters will make the wise decision to give me a chance.”
Azharudin Mamat, the third candidate in the three-way tussle, did not cast his vote as he is registered under the Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentary area.
As an Independent candidate, the 46-year old businessman is not considered a serious contender, although he may pull some votes away from either Wahid or Wan Ahmad later on.
The result at KT will not immediately change the power balance in the country, but it will be the clearest sign yet of whether Malaysians want reforms to continue, or screech to a stop.
Perhaps, even more critically, it will reflect on the popularity of incoming premier Najib Abdul Razak and the strength of his leadership in the Malay community - the largest ethnic group in the nation.
“KT represents a test of whether Umno can win a majority of Malay voters, whether the party is the legitimate voice of the Malay electorate,” political analyst Bridget Welsh said.
“There is the real potential that some in Umno would question Najib’s leadership before the March 2009 party elections. Hard work only goes so far. It is the delivery that counts,” she added.
A close fight has been predicted by most pundits, although popular analyst Ong Kian Ming has gone against the herd, forecasting a PAS win by a majority of 7,000 votes.
In the previous election held in March 2008, the BN had retained the seat with a 628-vote majority against PAS.
It is also a key referndum on the acceptability of deputy premier Najib Razak as leader of the Malay community and the entire nation.
Given such high stakes, no wonder signs of foul play have emerged. Pakatan leaders and watchdog groups believe that phantom voters will be fielded soon and allowed to slip past the EC.
It has been four hours since polling began and according to the Election Commission, about 42 percent of the electorate in Kuala Terengganu has voted so far.
Most of the those who voted this morning were the older group, while younger voters have yet to make their presence felt, the EC said.
Meanwhile, KeADILan information chief Tian Chua expressed concern that phantom voters might slip past the EC and pad up the result for the BN.
“How can the EC forecast a 90 percent turnout at 12 noon when only 42 percent have come out to vote so far. Usually in each election, the number that comes out to vote in the morning is more than those who come in the afternoon,” said Tian.
“On that basis, how can the EC made such a prediction for 90 percent turnout. We question and doubt their motive in coming out with such a statement.”
Observers also said there was still no clear trend yet as to who will triumph today at the make-or-break Kuala Terengganu by-election - Pakatan Rakyat’s Wahid Endut or Barisan Nasional’s Wan Ahmad Farid.
Nevertheless, most pundits believe the momentum will build up quickly in the afternoon, hopefully before the rain forecast by the Meteorological Department falls. Voting will stop at 5 pm and the EC hopes to announce the result by 10.30 pm.
Pakatan’s Wahid was the first to cast his vote, arriving at his polling centre way before the official starting time of 8 am.
“I don’t want to predict anything. I hope the voters will be more politically mature. This time I think I have no problems with the Chinese voters,” Wahid said.
Fielding phantom voters
The five-term state assemblyman for Wakaf Mempelam also urged the Election Commission to stay alert and ensure fair play.
“If the referee tak adil (is not fair), not only the players will be not satisfied, the penonton(spectators) and also the pengundi (voters) will be not satisfied,” Wahid said.
So far, the situation in regards to crowd and traffic appears to be under control. There are 80,229 registered voters, who are eligible to cast their ballot at the 36 polling centres set up around the constituency.
But it is the unusually high police presence of more than 6,000 personnel that is worrying the Pakatan.
“We are quite confident of winning, provided there are no phantom voters. The large police presence in KT has given rise to worries that they might be roped in to pose as phantom voters on polling day,” Tian said.
“Sure, it is partly meant to intimidate you and to give an impression that trouble may be brewing over the horizon, especially if Barisan Nasional does not win the by-election. But this is not the real reason,” said blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, who is campaigning for the Pakatan in KT.
“They are hoping that at least 20,000 to 25,000 of you will not come out to vote. This is quite normal because in any election the best we can expect is a 70% or so voter turnout. 30% of 80,000, therefore, comes to roughly 20,000 to 25,000 ‘no show’ voters.
“They can then always ‘safely’ increase the voter turnout to 75% and no one will be the wiser. This means they can pad the ballot boxes with about 4,000 to 5,000 ‘additional’ votes with no problems whatsoever. Now can you see why they need 6,000 police personnel in Kuala Terengganu?” added the indomitable Raja Petra, uncowed despite his recent arrest under the oppressive Internal Security Act.
Najib’s political neck on the line
Meanwhile, BN candidate Wan Ahmad Farid expressed confidence.
“God willing, voters will choose intelligently and vote for continuity through BN,” said the 46-year old former deputy home minister. “I have worked hard, I have faith that voters will make the wise decision to give me a chance.”
Azharudin Mamat, the third candidate in the three-way tussle, did not cast his vote as he is registered under the Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentary area.
As an Independent candidate, the 46-year old businessman is not considered a serious contender, although he may pull some votes away from either Wahid or Wan Ahmad later on.
The result at KT will not immediately change the power balance in the country, but it will be the clearest sign yet of whether Malaysians want reforms to continue, or screech to a stop.
Perhaps, even more critically, it will reflect on the popularity of incoming premier Najib Abdul Razak and the strength of his leadership in the Malay community - the largest ethnic group in the nation.
“KT represents a test of whether Umno can win a majority of Malay voters, whether the party is the legitimate voice of the Malay electorate,” political analyst Bridget Welsh said.
“There is the real potential that some in Umno would question Najib’s leadership before the March 2009 party elections. Hard work only goes so far. It is the delivery that counts,” she added.
A close fight has been predicted by most pundits, although popular analyst Ong Kian Ming has gone against the herd, forecasting a PAS win by a majority of 7,000 votes.
In the previous election held in March 2008, the BN had retained the seat with a 628-vote majority against PAS.
No comments:
Post a Comment