No holiday on Dec 7 polling day, says Kedah MB

ALOR SETAR: Dec 7, which is polling day for the Padang Serai parliamentary seat, will not be a special holiday in Kedah.

This is because the election involved only one parliamentary constituency in the state, said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

“It cannot be considered because it is only one parliamentary seat. Holidays have a limited quota,” he said.

He was asked to comment on Bersatu information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan’s suggestion that the state government declare a special holiday on Dec 7, since it is a Wednesday and a working day, to encourage the constituents to go out and vote.

The Election Commission had postponed polling day for the Padang Serai seat to Dec 7 following the death of Pakatan Harapan candidate M. Karupaiya on Nov 16. Early voting will be held on Dec 3. The election will see a six-cornered fight among candidates from Pakatan Harapan, Bersatu, Barisan Nasional, Pejuang, Parti Warisan and an Independent candidate.

However, Warisan has announced that the party would not participate in the election, though its party logo would still be listed on the ballot paper as it was already registered as one of the contesting parties.

Earlier in Kulim, Wan Saiful suggested that Dec 7 be declared a special holiday to make it convenient for Kedah folk to come out to vote.

“Dec 7 is an important day for the people of Kedah, especially in Padang Serai. I am quite worried because it is a working day.

“We must make sure that the percentage of people who come out to vote is high,” he said when met while campaigning with Perikatan Nasional candidate Datuk Azman Nasrudin yesterday