TOMORROW is polling day when Malaysians will vote to determine the country’s future.
This is one of the fundamental ideas that sustain the democratic system: the freedom of the people to pick their government through fair, free, and transparent election procedures. Meaning, in a democratic nation, the creation of the government that will lead the nation is determined by the process of periodic general elections.
Consequently, through this election, the people can use their rights and chances to issue a mandate to political parties competing for control of the nation.
This general election has the biggest number of contestants, 945 (818 male candidates and 127 female candidates) contesting for 222 parliamentary seats.
This general election is said to be unprecedented in this country’s parliamentary system due to the participation of five major coalition parties, namely, three from the national parties, Pakatan Harapan (PH), Perikatan Nasional (PN), and Barisan Nasional (BN) and two from the local parties, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah GRS), each of whom has pinned their hopes on their candidates.
The focus is on the contests. In some seats, the battle is intense, such as in Batu. The 10-cornered fight there makes it the most crowded seat for GE15.
All political parties have announced their manifestos and the battle to win the hearts of the people is on.
With the goal of garnering popularity and acquiring control over votes, besides the conventional strategy, social media platforms are used to win the hearts of voters. The single objective of all political parties is to win and form a government.
The difference in campaign momentum between the national and local parties has provided a number of indicators that will contribute to the election results.
PH is rumoured to be campaigning nonstop from night to day. In the case of PN and BN, which are only competing against each another, their candidates are more concerned with marketing themselves than the parties they represent.
Meanwhile, GTA’s debut as a new party in this general election is merely a provocation for the three incumbent national parties
In Sarawak, GPS has begun to win over people’s hearts. Its struggle to maintain and assert the state’s rights has infiltrated the sentiments of Sarawak’s voters. Its mandate is anticipated to produce the promised results.
In Sabah, GRS’ campaign is proceeding normally; campaign ethics are being adhered to and candidates are working hard.
Undi18 voters are among the attractions in this general election. For the first time, young people aged 18 and above will exercise their right to vote.
With 28 rival political parties fighting for the parliamentary seats, these young individuals (and the entire population) must vote wisely.
Confusion among the Undi18 voters is expected. After all, they are voting for the first time ever and may not be familiar with the contesting political parties.
The outcome of the election on November 19 will be determined by voter behaviour, which can be determined by candidate credibility, party strength, economic situation, social media dominance, the significance of national issues and inducement, among other factors. Do your duty and vote for the best candidate.
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** Dr Nur Aida Kipli (PhD) is a senior lecturer at Universiti Teknologi MARA, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak.
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The views expressed here are those of the analyst and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
