KUCHING: Voter enthusiasm was notably lacking in the recent Jepak State Assembly By-Election, potentially playing a role in the diminished voter turnout.
According to former Sarawak Election Commission (SPR) director Datuk Abang Roseli Abang Paleng, this lack of enthusiasm stemmed from voters viewing it as merely a By-Election in contrast to a General Election (PRU).
“It’s possible that voters in Bintulu (Jepak) who work outside the region chose not to return to cast their votes due to this perception.
“Their belief in the government’s victory is why I think the voter turnout was meagre.,” he said when interviewed by reporters at his residence today (Nov 7).
Furthermore, he pointed out that the dearth of substantial concerns in the Jepak State Assembly By-Election could have played a role in the reduced voter participation.
He elaborated on how the swift pace of development in the Jepak State Assembly might have discouraged voters from exercising their right to vote.
In an earlier announcement, the Election Commission had disclosed a voter turnout of 48.57 percent.
The chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Salleh, had anticipated a 65 percent voter turnout in the Jepak State Assembly By-Election on November 4.
In the three-way contest during the By-Election, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate Iskandar Turkee emerged victorious with 9,638 votes, securing a substantial lead of 8,784 votes.
He defeated Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) candidate Stevenson Joseph Sumbang, who garnered 854 votes, as well as Chieng Lea Ping from Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (Aspirasi), who managed to secure 431 votes.
