THE redelineation of Selangor seats was among the main factors that led to a low voter turnout in both the Seri Setia and Balakong by-elections on Saturday.

Think-tank Institut Darul Ehsan (IDE) said voters were unaware that they were involved in the by-elections because of the redelineation process that took place just prior to the 14th general election.

This was first evident in the Sg Kandis by-election, which recorded a turnout rate of only 49% as seven new polling centres were added to the state seat.

“A similar thing happened in the Seri Setia state seat when one polling district from N40 Kota Anggerik, which is Taman TTDI Jaya and two polling districts from N39 Kota Damansara, which are Taman Glenmarie and Ara Damansara, were added to Seri Setia in GE14.

“The three polling districts involved 94 localities which are made up of housing areas, kampung, flats and neighbourhood,” said IDE research senior manager Khairul Ariffin.

Voters came out during GE14 not because they were aware of their parliamentary or state seat but spurred on by the election spirit and democratic process, he said.

In its analysis, IDE came up with five main factors that led to a turnout rate of less than 50% for both of the recent by-elections.

Another reason may have been voters “traumatised” by the long wait to cast their ballot at GE14.

There was also a “complacent feel-good factor” among voters that caused them to skip the by-elections.

Most of the voters on Saturday’s joint by-elections were those aged 40 to 60 and were either party members or supporters, IDE said.

“Most of the fence-sitters felt they did not have any big objection towards these by-elections and had expected Pakatan Harapan to win.

“Voters in this category feel they have no specific motivation to go out and vote because Pakatan Harapan will remain governing Selangor and Putrajaya (federal government) had changed from Barisan Nasional to PH.”

The long weekend during polling day and demographics in the Klang Valley, which is made up of urban and semi-urban areas, also played a role in the low turnout rate.

“Those living in cities are categorised as ‘smart voters’ who do not depend solely on sentiments. They are the ones exposed to political issues through the print, electronic and social media.”

In Seri Setia, PH’s Halimey Abu Bakar (13,725 votes) and defeated PAS’ Dr Halimah Ali (9,698).

Meanwhile in Balakong, PH’s Wong Siew Ki polled 22,508 votes against MCA’s Tan Chee Teong’s 3,975 votes. – September 10, 2018.