MIRI: Fewer voters are expected to turn up to cast their votes in this coming Jepak by-election, a political analyst, Prof Madya Dr Novel Lyndon, predicted.
“Lower voters’ turnout is expected this coming Jepak by-election because they (voters) already know who’s going to win the election…the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB)-Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) for sure will retain the seat,” he said.
He told the New Sarawak Tribune that more engagements must be carried out to increase voters’ turnout.
“We have to understand that voters always have a perception that a by-election is just a minor election that does not change the political landscape or undermine the position of the party that forms the government,” he pointed out.
He further said the absence of other opposition parties like the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) will make this coming Jepak by-election not so attractive for the voters.
“We need to make sure that the voters turn out to cast their vote during that day. As such the Election Commission (EC) needs to engage or carry out initiatives to encourage voters such as providing wheelchairs for disabled people and render assistance to senior citizens,” he said.
The by-election is being held this Saturday.
