KUCHING: Several elected representatives welcome the news that polling day for the 15th General Election (GE15) will be on Nov 19.
The Election Commission (EC) announced the news today.
Tamin assemblyman, Christopher Gira, said he believed many voters wanted the poll to be held as soon as possible.
“After dissolution of the parliament by the caretaker Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Oct 10, many are waiting for the EC to announce the nomination and polling dates respectively.
“I believe the people want to have the election as soon as possible before the landas (monsoon) season. Since the date falls on Saturday, I appeal to the people to exercise their right and to vote,” he told New Sarawak Tribune when contacted today (Oct 20).
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala said the date chosen, which was a Saturday, was suitable as many voting centres were in the schools which did not have classes and were available as polling centres.
“Similarly, government servants and most private sector employees do not work on Saturdays so this will enable them to come out to vote.
“Hopefully, the voter turnout will be better,” he said.
Expressing similar views, Daro assemblyman Shafie Ahmad said the date would also not affect the schooling session as school premises were used as voting centres.
“Many school premises are used due to their suitability and ability to accommodate voters.
“The date also encourages all voters to go out to vote,” he added.
The EC has set the nomination day on Nov 5 while early voting is on Nov 15. The campaign period is set at 14 days after nomination on Nov 5 until 11.59pm on Nov 18 which is the day before polling.
