Waking up at 6 o'clock in the morning and looking out the window to see that it was raining out, two thoughts ran through my head:
- Has it rained heavily that night and if my friends are safe from the flood? and
- Should I brave the rain and go to the polling centre that morning or wait to vote after noon time - when there was also a risk of heavy rain?
Walking to the Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Kantan polling centre in Kajang at 9 o'clock in the morning, I see many enthusiastic Malaysians queueing up, spilling out onto the sidewalk outside the polling centre, waiting for their turn, excited to cast their votes. This includes males and females, young and old, some wearing caps to cover their heads from the rain that had started to subside and some shading themselves with large umbrellas. Voters in this polling centre would be casting their votes for the Bangi Parliament candidates.
Video credit: Aliza M.
There were two main tents set up outside the school too, one splashed with dark blue flags and banners spelling the name "Barisan Nasional" and on the opposite side of the dark blue supporters was another tent with the name "Perikatan Nasional" hung from its large umbrella. They offered some food and drinks to the voters walking to the polling site. There was another tent, however, with many red banners and flags spelled "HARAPAN" that was located on the other side of the main road, away from the voters walking to the polling centre, and slightly out of sight.
As noon rolled in, it was obvious that there were not as many voters piling up and spilling out of the polling centre as it was in the morning, probably because most people in this area decided to turn up early in the morning, instead of risking the late afternoon rain (if any). The sun had come out shining brightly by then, making it easier for voters to walk into the polling centre, especially for the elderly in wheelchairs and people with disabilities. The weather was kind to many, including one man who had a broken leg and limped his way to the polling centre with crutches under both his underarms, looking just as determined to cast his vote as everyone else.
One of the things I must commend about the on-ground staff or volunteers in this polling centre was how accommodating they were to the voters, especially to the disabled and elderly. Even though many did not know their "Saluran" number, it didn't take very long for the staff to help check the voters' "Saluran" numbers and direct them to which room they should go to cast their votes. The process of casting vote was smooth and breezy, and the Polling Agent and Counting Agent (PACA) were efficient and helpful, leaving a 'feel-good' aftertaste to many voters.
How about your experience at your polling centre?
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