Disability not stopping Abdul Rahman from casting ballot
KIMANIS: Having just one hand, has not deterred Mohamad Abdul Rahman from going out to vote in the Kimanis parliamentary by-election at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kimanis here yesterday.
Mohamad from Kampung Lanas was in high spirits as he lined up with other constituents in front of the school entrance as early 7 am as they waited eagerly for the polling centre to open at 7.30am.
According to Mohamad, 34, he chose to come to the polls early in the morning to ensure his outing today would go without a hitch.
“I was born without a left hand but this will not stop me from exercising my rights to vote along with other citizens. In fact this is the third time that I am casting my ballot.
“I decided to come out early to avoid the traffic congestion and to make sure that everything goes smoothly for me,” he said when met by Bernama after fulfilling his duty here.
Mohamad, who was among the early voters was accompanied by his three sisters who also came to cast their vote at the polling centre.
Election Commission (EC) officials were also seen going out of their way helping people with disabilities in the voting process.
Not giving the byelection a miss despite the inconvenience, was elderly couple Md Nooh Sarudin, 89, and his wife, Dayang Rahmah Talip, 78, from Kampung Baru Kimanis.
According to Md Nooh it had been their routine to be early at every election so as not to be held up by the traffic jams and to get over with the task as quickly as possible.
The Kimanis parliamentary by-election will witness a oneon-one contest between Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) candidate Datuk Karim Bujang and Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Mohamad Alamin. - Bernama