By NNN-Bernama
Putrajaya, Malaysia : The Election Commission (EC) has fixed new voting times for three remote locations in the Hulu Rajang parliamentary constituency after a longboat carrying its officers and the ballots papers capsized in the swift-flowing Rajang River this morning.
EC secretary Kamaruzaman Mohd Noor told reporters here today that voting would be held again at Uma Sekapan Piit for 101 voters from 10am to 11.30am on Sunday.
For the other two polling stations at Uma Balo Kasing in Long Amo, involving 120 voters, voting will be from 1pm to 2.30pm, also Sunday.
Kamaruzaman said voting at the three locations had to be postponed to Sunday as all the ballot papers were soaked and could not be salvaged after water entered the ballot boxes.
The mishap, with no loss of lives, took place after voting in Uma Sekapang Piit while the EC boat was on its way to Uma Balo Kasing.
Meanwhile, in Sarawak state, Kapit police confirmed that the longboat carrying six passengers, including two EC officers and two policemen, capsized after hitting a log in the Rajang River, not far from Belaga town.
Kapit police chief DSP Entusa Imam when contacted said a report had been lodged at the Belaga police station on the incident that occurred at 10.20am today.
River transport along the tributaries of the Batang Rajang, Malaysia’s longest river, is the main means to reach out to the 17,696 registered voters, comprising mostly Iban and Orang Ulu.
Barisan Nasional (BN) incumbent Billy Abit Joo from Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) is in a straight fight with independent candidate George Lagong in Hulu Rajang, the largest constituency in the country, covering 31,817 sq km.
Sarawak state Election Commission director Takun Sunggah said the voting process in the state, which was marred by the boat capsize incident in Hulu Rajang, had recorded a 27.3 percent voter turnout as at 3 pm.
He said the percentage was based on feedback obtained from 11 out of the 26 parliamentary constituencies as many of the polling stations were in remote areas.
Nationwide, about 58 percent voter turnout was recorded as at 3 pm.