‘Post-GE14 fatigue caused low voter turnouts’
IPOH: Post-general election fatigue has been described as a factor behind the low voter turnouts in the Seri Setia and Balakong byelections.
DAP deputy secretary-general Nga Kor Ming said the low turnouts were not unusual and many factors should be taken into account.
“If we look at past records, it is normal to experience a low-voter turnout when a by-election is held right after the general election.
“There will be voter fatigue. The low turnouts are also caused by the long holiday period, on top of the long 21-day campaigning period.”
Nga said this after officiating the Jelapang Community Centre in the Jelapang Business Park here yesterday.
The Balakong by-election saw a 43 per cent voter turnout, while the Seri Setia by-election recorded a turnout of 44 per cent.
The Election Commission said it would study the causes behind the low turnouts.
Nga said despite the low turnouts, 85 per cent of the voters voted for Pakatan Harapan, which was a clear message on its level of support.
“PH is grateful and we thank the support extended to us.
“It is evident that Barisan Nasional is breaking up, with MCA using its own logo for the first time.
“This was a trick by MCA because it is still with BN and yet, it used their own logo. However, it did not fool voters in Balakong.”
Nga said PH would continue to fulfil pledges in its manifesto.
On Saturday, PH won the Seri Setia seat when its candidate, Halimey Abu Bakar, obtained 13,725 votes to defeat Pas’ Dr Halimah Ali, who secured 9,698 votes.
In Balakong, PH candidate Wong Siew Ki won the seat by obtaining 22,508 votes, defeating her MCA opponent Tan Chee Teong with a 18,533-vote majority.