BINTULU: The Jepak by-election yesterday (Nov 4) recorded a turnout of 10,923 voters, which accounts for 48.57 percent of the total 22,804 eligible voters, falling short of the 65 percent target set by the Election Commission (EC).
Despite the victory of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate Iskandar Turkee with 9,638 votes, the turnout observed was notably lower compared to previous Jepak state elections.
Premier and GPS chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in a press conference, explained the lower turnout, attributing it to various factors including the general perception of the by-election’s scale.
“From this by-election, we can already expect that the turnout will be lower compared to the state or general elections.
“Among the factors is due to the people working on polling day, a lot of voters are away (from Jepak) and the young voters.
“The most we can get (in a by-election) is around 50 to 55 percent. But 48 is okay since it is near to 50.
“The important thing is that GPS gets a huge support in this by-election, with a popular vote of 88.3 percent.
“Aside from that, the people already expect that GPS will win, so they feel that there is no need to go (vote),” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Premier and GPS Jepak Election Director Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said that despite the 48.57 percent voter turnout, GPS still won in all of the polling districts and polling stations.
“This shows the solid support towards the GPS government that will bring Sarawak forward to be more advanced and maintain the solidarity of the people,” he said.
