Couples prove wedding not a hindrance to fulfil voting duties
KUALA LUMPUR - Two wedded couples, one in Kelantan and another in Penang, took time off from their busy schedule to fulfil their responsibilities as voters by arriving at the polling stations clad in their wedding attires, to cast their votes.
In Kelantan, the couple - Nur Ain Huda Ibrahim, 25, and Mohammad Hidayat Yuliza, 25 - arrived at the polling centre clad in a light blue songket attire at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Wakaf Stan, about 3.40 pm, after their wedding ceremony at Kampung Wakaf Stan had ended.
Their wedding had been pre-arranged to be completed early so that the couple would not miss the opportunity to cast their votes for the Demit state assembly.
"Our wedding date was set last Syawal and we didn't expect it to fall on the voting day. Since all the preparations have been made, we decided to go ahead with the solemnisation last night and our ‘bersanding’ (where bride and groom are seated on a wedding dais) ceremony today," she told reporters at the school.
Nur Ain said her wedding day will be the most lasting memory for her and will be immortalised as a special moment that will be remembered throughout her life.
Mohammad Hidayat added that he will leave for Kuala Krai in the afternoon to carry out his voting duties at SK Kampung Tengah, Kuala Krai for the Guchil state assembly.
He said the voting opportunity that only happens once in five years should be fully exercised in choosing their representatives and the state leadership.
"That's why in our busy schedule we still make time to vote in this state polls," he said.
In Penang, even though it was drizzling and the wedding ended late, Nur Azmina Azmawi, 25, did not miss the opportunity to vote at Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Impian, Kubang Semang.
She arrived at the polling centre at 5.15 pm in a white wedding gown, accompanied by her husband Mohamad Najib Kherudin, 25, who did not vote because he was from Pahang, a state that is not involved in the state polls today.
"My marriage ceremony was at 9 am today and the bersanding was at noon. It's a bit of a rush because my wedding and the polls are happening on the same day.
"Just had time to vote and do outdoor photoshoot after this," said the civil servant when met by Bernama at the school.
Nur Azmina said at the beginning, she felt a bit worried because she was afraid she would not be able to fulfil her obligations because she had henna on her finger.
However, Nur Azmina was grateful for being able to carry out that democratic responsibility despite being busy with the preparations for the marriage ceremony, photo session and banquet at her home in Taman Guar Perahu. - BERNAMA
