HULU SELANGOR, May 11 — In Kuala Kubu Baharu today, 39,362 voters are set to cast their ballots in the by-election to choose their new assemblyman.
Eighteen voting centres with 74 streams were opened at 8am, and as at 11am, the Election Commission said 26 per cent of the electorate had cast their ballots.
The four-cornered contest involves Pakatan Harapan’s Pang Sock Tao, Perikatan Nasional’s Khairul Azhari Saut, Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainuddin, and Independent candidate Nyau Ke Xin.
Voters began queuing from as early as 7.15am to fulfil their duty in electing their assemblyman.
At several centres, disabled folk were seen casting their ballots, some accompanied by family members and some assisted by Election Commission (EC) workers.
Wheelchair user Rosli Sarip, 75, showed up to the SK Bandar Baru Batang Kali alone to cast his vote. He said his home was about 1km away.
“I have voted since I was 21 years old. It is important to vote as it concerns our future to choose a responsible leader,” he said.
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Rosli Sarip, 75, waits in line for this turn to vote in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election at SK Bandar Baru Batang Kali, Hulu Selangor, on May 11, 2024. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Accompanied by her mother, Goh Liew Yong, 36, was enthusiastic about voting in the by-election.
Her mother Wee Mary, 70, accompanied Liew Yong, who has Down’s Syndrome, to the voting centre at SMK Ampang Pechah.
“No matter if you are disabled, a senior citizen, or young, if you are eligible, you must try your best to visit a voting centre to choose your assemblyman,” said Wee, who has voted more than five times.
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Goh Liew Yong (left) casts her ballot with her mother Wee Mary at SMK Ampang Pechah in Kuala Kubu Bharu on May 11, 2024. — Picture by REMY ARIFIN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Form 6 student Yap Yu Seng, 19, was excited to vote for the first time. He said he decided to get to his voting centre at SJKC Khing Ming early as he had a school activity at Dataran Kuala Kubu Baharu.
“I reached around 7.50am as I have to be at Dataran Kuala Kubu Baharu at 8.30am for a school programme. I did not want to miss my chance (to vote), so I asked my father to send me (to the voting centre) early,” he said.
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Form 6 student Yap Yu Seng shows his marked finger after voting in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election at the SJKC Khing Ming balloting centre on May 11, 2024. — Picture by HAFIZ OTHMAN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Voting centres are to close at 6pm today, except for the SJKC Bukit Fraser centre, which caters to only 40 voters and thus closes at 2pm.
