KUCHING: Political parties should work hard to increase the voter turnout in the Jepak state seat by-election.
Past election records have shown that the voter turnout in Jepak has never reached 70 per cent.
Political analyst Mohammad Rezza Abdullah Bahida said political parties need to step up and explain to voters on the need to go out to vote to ensure the “democratic process can be carried out perfectly”.
“Aside from that, the parties should also convince voters that their candidate is capable of bringing the voice of the people from the grassroots level.
“All in all, political parties can use all the available platforms such as various social media platforms to encourage voters to go out to vote,” he said when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune yesterday.
He said that although the election this time around is just a by-election, political parties must convince the voters that this election is as important as other elections.
“With the increase in voter turnout, the people’s voice in the constituency will be heard at both state and federal levels.
“Moreover, when the turnout increases, this can be seen as a sign that the voters in Jepak constituency are serious about implementing the democratic process.
“Additionally, it also acts as a signal to the winning candidate that their people’s voice should be heard,” he said.
The Jepak by-election on Nov 4 will be a three-cornered fight involving Gabungan Parti Sarawak candidate Iskandar Turkee, Parti Bumi Kenyalang’s Stevenson Joseph Sumbang, and Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak candidate Chieng Lea Ping.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Datuk Talib Zulpilip on Sept 15 due to kidney complications. The late Talib served the constituency for six terms since 1996.
