BY: R. RAJENDRAN

Fears of a low voter turnout in the country’s 15th General Elections have prompted nearly all political parties and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to strategize for a higher voter turnout.

Owing to certain factors like political indifference, barriers such as high travel costs for outstation voters and the unreliability of the postal voting process many politicians and aspiring politicians expect a low voter turnout for the 15thGE.

According to election analysts, the voter turnout for the Nov 19 polls is anticipated to be between 70 percent and 75 percent. In the event of floods expected during this monsoon period or a sudden increase in Covid19 cases, there will be a lower voter turnout.

In order to increase voter turnout, hurdles faced by overseas voters must be removed, people led movements have to be ignited to help mobilize voters and online registration forms have to be made available.

Politicians are also coming out in full force to appeal to Malaysians to vote with Tik Tok being a popular medium for this current general election although the use of other social media is beginning to pick up.

Currently, those posting clips on Tik Tok include MCA Youth chief Datuk Nicole Wong, PKR’s Permatang Pauh candidate Nurul Izzah Anwar and Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher