Nai Khan Ari casts his vote
Updated on 31 May 2009 at 5.28pm
BUKIT MERTAJAM, 31 May 2009: Polling for the Penanti state by-election, which began at 8am today, ended at 5pm. According to sources, the voter turnout was low.
Mohd RahimAt the Dewan Orang Ramai dan Tabika Kampung Tun Sardon, the first voter was Mohd Rahim, who told The Nut Graph: “This is a responsibility, like praying five times a day.”
As of 8.15am, more than 10 voters have already entered the polling station to cast their votes for this state seat in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency in Penang.
The seat is being contested by four candidates. They are Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR)’s Dr Mansor Othman, and three independents — Aminah Abdullah, Nai Khan Ari Nai Keow and Kamarul Ramizu Idris.
Nai Khan Ari, the former Telok Wang Gerakan youth chief who quit the party to be an independent, arrived at 8.30am at the polling station to cast his vote ten minutes later. Of the four candidates, he is the only one registered to vote in Penanti.
After voting, Nai Khan Ari told reporters he was confident of getting at least 90% of the votes from the Telok Wang stream.
Queueing up“[But] win or lose [in this by-election], I will not rejoin Gerakan or join any other party. It’s better to be an independent. I can speak freely,” he said.
He also said he would contest in the next general election.
Bernama reports the Meteorological Department as forecasting fine weather this morning and tonight. Rain is expected in the afternoon.
The by-election is being held following the resignation of incumbent assemblyperson and former Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin.
Polling day, traffic jam
PKR’s Mansor is likely to retain the seat for the party.
There are 15,384 registered voters in Penanti, out of which 24 are postal voters. 
