In Sungai Limau, Mukhriz claims pro-Pakatan crowds scaring away BN voters
(MM) – Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir appeared today to accuse the opposition of orchestrating crowds of supporters to block voters from casting their ballots in Sungai Limau, even suggesting that traffic snarl could cost Barisan Nasional (BN) the state seat.
The first-term Kedah mentri besar who was part of the BN team that culled Pakatan Rakyat (PR) in the rice bowl state during Election 2013, alleged that the crowds, some of which had reportedly turned rowdy, were frightening away Sungai Limau voters from casting their ballots.
“I’ve heard reports of fights outside some polling centres earlier and that the roads to all polling centres are jammed, both of which are tactics used by the opposition to deter voters from casting their votes,” he said in a brief press conference when he visited the BN Simpang Tiga operations centre here, just opposite the SJKC Aik Min polling centre.
He added that it was not surprising for the opposition to use such tactics to scare away voters, pointing out that if more were to turn up to vote, BN would have a higher chance of wresting the seat from PAS.
“I will advise our BN supporters not to react to the opposition’s provocation but to be more patient as we hope for the peaceful political atmosphere here to continue even on this last day,” he said.
He appeared to accuse PR of starting the skirmishes, even claiming that a PAS supporter had hit a female BN supporter outside one of the polling centres here.
“I had hoped for a peaceful polling day so it is disappointing that this is to happen today, which will negatively impact BN voters,” he said.
He also urged the traffic police to take control of the traffic conditions so that voters can get to the polling centres.
“We hope more Sungai Limau voters will come out to vote as the more voters cast their votes, BN will have a higher chance of winning,” he said.
As at 2pm, the Elections Commission spokesperson said a total of 18,843 or 69.22 per cent of voters have cast their votes.
Polling closes at 5pm and the EC expects to announce the results by 10pm.
BN’s Dr Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim is going up against PAS’ Mohd Azam Abdul Samat for the state seat which has been under PAS for five terms.
The seat was vacated after the former Kedah mentri besar Tan Sri Azizan Abdul Razak died on September 26. He had held the seat after winning it in 1995.
