Not the time to protest, go out to vote, urges Pas

SHAH ALAM - Voters are being urged to fulfill their civic duty promptly and avoid protesting against the election process or damaging votes.

Pas secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said this in response to a report released by the Election Commission (EC) where the voter turnout percentage was meagre.

He said the situation should not have occurred and he hoped that all members and supporters of Pas, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Parti Gerakan (Gerakan) will come out to vote.

"Every vote of yours is crucial and counts. This is not the time to protest against the election process or attempt to damage ballots because we should not let the current situation persist.

"By not choosing which party to support or not voting, we indirectly deny our rights as Malaysian citizens.

"Go out and cast your vote," he emphasised in a statement on Saturday.

Sinar Harian reported that as of 3pm, the voter turnout percentages for the state elections in six states were: Terengganu - 63 per cent, Kedah - 61 per cent and Pulau Pinang - 60 per cent.

According to the EC, the voter turnout in Selangor is 58 per cent, Negeri Sembilan (56 per cent) and Kelantan (51 per cent) while for the Kuala Terengganu by-election, the voter turnout percentage was 59 per cent.

Takiyuddin added that the voting time was not fixed and voters can fulfil their responsibilities within the set period, between 8am and 6pm.