By Ling Hui
KUCHING, Dec 18: The 12th Sarawak Election (PRN12) has recorded a meagre 39 per cent voter turnout rate as of noon.
This is according to statistics compiled by the Election Commission of Malaysia (EC) today.
The percentage was creeping up at a snail’s pace from 11 per cent at 9am to 22 per cent at 10am.
In the one hour from 11am to 12pm, the turnout rate merely increased by 7 per cent.
This year’s election period was extended for half an hour, starting earlier from 7.30am to 5pm, an initiative by EC to spread out the voters over the hours for better social distancing practices.
This, however, did not help attract more voters to cast their ballots.
Even before polling today, many citizens have decided not to participate in voting for this election for various reasons.
Some viewed the time allocations to vote as inconvenient; some could not decide who to vote for, while others just preferred not to go through the hassle and travel in the rain.
During the announcement of the election schedule on Nov 24, EC director Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said the commission was hoping for a 70 per cent voter turnout today.
With less than five more hours to go, could there be any more significant jumps in the numbers, or would the slow trend drag on?
On a friendly note, this is a chance that comes only once every five years. Sarawakian voters, have you gotten your electoral stain? — DayakDaily
