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KUALA LUMPUR – The 15th general election (GE15) is set to see Malaysians nationwide voting for respective candidates across all 222 parliamentary seats, 59 state seats in Perak, 42 in Pahang, and 15 in Perlis – not forgetting the Bugaya state by-election in Sabah.
The GE15 electoral roll has 21,173,638 voters. Of that number, 20,905,366 are ordinary voters; 146,737 are army personnel and their spouses; 118,794 are police personnel, including from the General Operations Force, and their spouses; and 2,741 are absentee voters who are currently abroad.
Given the emergence of several political coalitions, the race for a simple majority would not be an easy one.
The Vibes brings you live highlights, followed closely by results from voting day, which is shaping up to be the most intense of all elections by far in the nation’s history. – The Vibes, November 19, 2022
11.31am – When met at SK Manjoi Dua, Pakatan Harapan (chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he is “cautiously optimistic” that the people would give his coalition the mandate to lead the country.
He further explained that a strong mandate is necessary to avoid a hung Parliament where political parties might have to engage in wheeling and dealing to form the next government.
“We have explained to the general population, to the voters if there is a possibility of a hung Parliament, it means we’re back to horse trading, which we want to avoid.
“There should not be any ultimatum on court cases, positions, or contracts because we stand for good governance. So hopefully we’ll be able to achieve a strong mandate,” he said to the press.
Anwar also expressed optimism about what he considers a strong voter turnout of 9% nationwide as of 9am, despite concerns of poor weather.
Anwar is expected to visit several polling centres in TAMBUN until 3pm before he and other PH leaders make their way back to Kuala Lumpur for the GE15 official announcement.
11.30am – A first-time voter in SHAH ALAM, who goes by the name Ashwin, 25, is elated to finally be able to exercise his right, after being merely a few months too young to vote in the last general election.
“It is exhilarating. I missed my chance last time because I was about three months too young, so I was technically 20 years old at that time,” he told The Vibes.
“Besides executing my civic duty, I’m reconnecting with people who I last saw a decade ago. It feels like a reunion.
“I was worried to be denied entry this time because I’m wearing shorts and slippers, but everything went smoothly,” he added while showing his inked finger.
Ashwin cast his vote at Sekolah Seri Cahaya, Shah Alam.
11.15AM – In an update, the Election Commission has announced that the voter turnout for GE15 nationwide reached 20% by 10am today.
In Bangi, 18-year-old Nurshafiqah Mohd Azmi said she felt nervous casting her vote for the first time.
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) November 19, 2022
“I felt nervous because I have never been in this situation, but I look forward to what happens next.” pic.twitter.com/OP0Lh7s1Im
11.00am – In BANGI, 18-year-old Nurshafiqah Mohd Azmi said she felt nervous to be casting her vote for the first time.
“I felt nervous because I have never been in this situation, but I look forward to what happens next.”
Julia Ujud, seen here outside SMK Sri Hartamas, says she is voting for the future of her children and grandchildren. pic.twitter.com/rfr9ws1Pum
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) November 19, 2022
10.58am – In GOMBAK, former army personnel at the SK Klang Gate polling station were none too pleased with their voting experience, claiming that the stream reserved for senior citizens was “disorganised and poorly managed”.
Datuk Seri Salleh Hussein, a retired colonel, lamented how he was forced to wait in line for over an hour just to reach his polling booth.
“If they (polling centre) already have details on the number of elderly voters, then they should be able to adjust how many special streams are needed,” the 83-year-old said.
He also suggested that voters on wheelchairs be directed to a separate lane from elderly citizens as he had observed some wheelchair users cut the queue he was in.
A fellow former serviceman who wished to be known as Haji Mohamad also did not hold back his criticism towards the voting process here.
“With all due respect to the Election Commission, the people who organised the streams here cannot think straight,” he said.
“If they pulled this stunt in the army, they would have been sacked on the spot.”
10.57am – The Election Commission has announced that the voter turnout for GE15 nationwide as of 9am today was 9%.
10.31am – Meanwhile, in LEMBAH PANTAI, Fahmi Fadzil is seen at SJK(T) Saraswathy, Jalan Klang Lama.
He says that three voting streams experienced a power outage earlier when a fuse box in a tent set up by the EC malfunctioned.
He said the outage lasted for approximately an hour.
1030am – In BANGI, first-timer voter Amar Azhad Arifin, 19, said he is proud to have exercised his duty as a voter alongside the rest of the country.
“It gives us a sense of responsibility over the future of this country as much as the other voters.
“It’s an achievement.”
Amar cast his vote at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bandar Baru Bangi.
BANGI - 10.30am
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) November 19, 2022
First-timer voter Amar Azhad Arifin, 19, said he is proud to have exercised his duty as a voter alongside the rest of the country.
“It gives us a sense of a responsibility over the future of this country as much as the other voters. It’s an achievement.” pic.twitter.com/ODC6TeP9nf
10.16am – Pejuang chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was seen reciting a prayer with supporters and aides before visiting polling centres in LANGKAWI at 9am this morning.
10.14am – Barisan Nasional’s Khairy Jamaluddin casts his vote in REMBAU where was previously MP for three terms. He said that he voted for Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, his party boss who is now contesting the seat.
10.13am – Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who is contesting the GOMBAK parliamentary seat, casts his ballot at SJKC Selayang Baru.
10.12am – Caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his wife Datin Seri Muhaini Zainal Abidin are seen queuing up at 9.20am to cast their votes in SMK Bandar Kerayong, BERA.
9.48am – In the JASIN federal constituency in Melaka, many senior citizens started coming early in the morning to fulfil their responsibility by voting. EC officials were seen assisting the elderly, pushing their wheelchairs.
In Segambut, Muhammad Varkkey Abdullah, 73, tells The Vibes how EC officials provided him with a wheelchair as soon as they noticed that he had difficulty walking.
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) November 19, 2022
“I think the EC has done a very good job organising things.” pic.twitter.com/eLJm4M20qF
9.43am – DAP’s BANDAR KUCHING candidate Kelvin Yii cast his vote at SJKC Stampin at 9am today. Good weather has been reported in most polling stations in Kuching and surrounding areas.
9.33am – According to several voters at the SK Klang Gate polling station in GOMBAK, voters were not made to turn off their phones or hand them over to officers.
One voter, Feenaz, 26, said that she had brought her phone in with her to her polling booth since she was not told otherwise.
“I heard that we were supposed to leave our phones outside (the polling booths) but they (officers) didn’t say anything so I just kept it in my bag,” she told The Vibes.
“I could have easily taken it out while I was filling out my ballot paper but maybe the officers would have noticed and taken action then.”
Her sister, Neeya, 28, said while she had opted to leave her phone in the car, no officer had questioned whether the device was with her.
9.30am – In the SUBANG federal constituency, the EC’s no-handphone rule is only being partially enforced by EC officers at the SMK Bandar Kinrara 4 polling centre.
Voters are told they can opt to surrender their phones to the presiding officer or keep it in their pockets, as long as it not taken out when marking their ballots.
9.26am – Commenting on remarks by Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, which drew flak for allegedly inciting religious and racial tension, Azmin said that he has confidence in voters’ ability to judge the situation for themselves.
“Citizens today are mature enough to realise that (the accusations) are mere manipulations by certain parties.
“I don’t believe that the people are easily influenced by propaganda,” he told reporters at the SK Klang Gate voting centre after casting his ballot.
He added that he is pleased with the people’s reception towards PN, especially in GOMBAK.
SEPUTEH - 9.20am
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) November 19, 2022
Teresa Kok, who has been MP here since 1999, arrives at SMK Desa Perdana for a visit. pic.twitter.com/xFtJkABRWz
9.10am – SEPUTEH incumbent MP Teresa Kok of Pakatan Harapan arrives for a visit at SMK Desa Perdana.
She is greeted warmly by those in line, with some asking to take selfies with her.
Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan notifies on social media that a purported letter signed by chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the need for the coalition to collaborate with Gabungan Parti Sarawak is fake.
8.46am – In ISKANDAR PUTERI, lines began to form at SMK Taman Nusajaya, as the rain continue to fall in several parts of southern Johor.
However, the voting process went smoothly as it took voters only about 30 minutes for them to exercise their democratic duty.
8.45AM – Azmin, Perikatan Nasional’s candidate for GOMBAK, has arrived at the SK Klang Gate polling centre.
Accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Shamsida Taharin, Azmin took the time to speak with voters waiting in line, including an elderly lady in a wheelchair who he greeted with a kiss on the hands as a sign of respect.
8.21am – After reminding voters about voting procedures they will have to adhere to in the polling station, Diva AA delivered a heartfelt message to his brother Azmin, who is vying to defend the GOMBAK federal seat.
“To Azmin Ali, good luck, but I and the whole world have read (that) you will lose,” he said.
It is believed that the celebrity was referring to a survey conducted by the government-linked think-tank Institut Darul Ehsan, which predicted a crushing defeat for Azmin in Gombak.
Meanwhile, Lim Wei Jiet, who votes in MUAR, Johor, claims that the prohibition from bringing handphones into the voting hall was not enforced by EC officials.
Mengikut apa yang saya baru lalui tadi, peraturan SPR yang handphone perlu diletakkan ke dalam jagaan pegawai semasa anda memangkah undi itu tidak dikuatkuasakan.
— Lim Wei Jiet (@lim_weijiet) November 19, 2022
Ini penting untuk mencegah sogokan & penipuan.
Harap PACA & SPR beri perhatian serius.
In TAMBUN, Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu and his wife Datin Seri Nomee Ashikin arrived at the Sekolah Rendah Agama Rakyat Al-Ihtidaiyah here at 7.45am.
Both managed to cast their votes by 8.05am.
Speaking to the press, Faizal expresses confidence that there will be a wave of support for his coalition.
“To be very honest, after two weeks of campaigning, I believe there is a wave across the country supporting Perikatan Nasional, which is very encouraging. We believe we can make an upset today,” he said.
8.20am – Voters are not deterred by the light drizzle at the polling station at SK Danau Kota, in WANGSA MAJU.
However, there is no social distancing while in queue as they wait to cast their ballots.
8.18am – Thick clouds overhead and the prospect of rain was no barrier to voters in the SEPUTEH constituency.
Close to 500 people of all ages have been waiting to cast their votes from as early as 7am.
8.15am – An elderly voter slipped and fell while in line at SK Wawasan Seremban 2 as rain has been falling since early morning, in SEREMBAN.
Others in the queue were quick to assist the man as EC officials helped him into the first and second stream for the elderly.
8.01AM – Early in the day, the government’s election website mysprsemak.spr.gov.my, which is used by voters to check their details have already been swamped. Instead of voter details, it takes users to a 502 Bad Gateway page.
Some voters had to manually check their details and which stream they belong in with some of the officers here manually.
In KLANG, despite rain showers since 2.30am, voters began queuing up as early as 7.30am at SK Teluk Pulai. The elderly, under the first and second streams were expedited to cast their ballots, while other voting streams are being made to endure long queues.
Good morning 🇲🇾!
— TheVibes.com (@thevibesnews) November 19, 2022
Follow this thread for LIVE updates as Malaysians head to the polls!
Starting in Gombak,@AzminAli's brother, Azwan Ali, better known as Diva AA, was the first voter to show up at the SK Klang Gate polling centre here. pic.twitter.com/9dDmk2BXeq
7.55am – In GOMBAK, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s brother, Azwan Ali, was the first voter to show up at the SK Klang Gate polling centre.
The celebrity known as Diva AA urged voters to come out and fulfil their voting responsibilities.
“Instead of snoring in bed like a pig, come out and cast your ballot. It doesn’t matter which party you vote for, just vote using your brain,” he said.
With five minutes to go until the polling centre opens, at least 20 voters have lined up outside the school as a light drizzle persists.
At SMK Gombak Setia, voters began queuing up as early as 7.30am. The elderly, under the first and second streams, were expedited to cast their ballots.
