LOCALS in the Seri Setia constituency are relieved, as the campaigning period for the state seat by-election ended yesterday and they could vote today.

Voters at SK Kg Lindungan in Petaling Jaya said today the 21-day campaign period for the by-election was too long.

For Matthew San, 59, the campaign period should not have gone up to 21 days, as voters were tired of it.

“It should not take this long but I think it’s all in the voters’ mindset.

“But at the end of the day, we want people who can perform and we must also think of the next generation,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

He said the by-election was unavoidable as the incumbent assemblyman had died.

Therefore, San said, voters should not feel political fatigue over the by-elections taking place after the 14th general election.

The first by-election after GE14 was the Sg Kandis state seat while the Seri Setia by-election is being held simultaneously with Balakong today.

“Whatever it is, you have to put things back on the right track. You have to go all out for it,” said San, who is originally from Sarawak, but moved to Kg Lindungan 30 years ago.

The Seri Setia state seat fell vacant following the death of Shaharuddin Badaruddin on August 2 from colon cancer.

PKR’s Halimey Abu Bakar is facing a straight fight against Dr Halimah Ali (PAS).

Another voter, Rokiah Abas said she was tired from the long campaign and the news from the events.

 Younger voters may not be keen to keep themselves updated with the campaigns but the elderly were aware of their importance, she said.

“I went to several night ceramah but there were some who did not like the petty things brought up during the ceramah.

“It was too long. I’m sick of the political stories, whether they are good or bad,” said the 58-year-old.

As of 11am, the Election Commission (EC) recorded a 23% voter turnout in Seri Setia.

Kg Lindungan resident Shakila Uthandy said she was “shocked” over the low turnout at the Kg Lindungan polling station.

“Today, the crowd was not as what I expected. During GE14, I waited two hours to cast my vote but today was easy. I just walked in and cast my vote,” she said.

Shakila said she did not follow any campaign trail for both candidates as she was just looking forward to polling day.

“I was more looking forward to polling day and just to do my duty. It’s for my children’s future rather than mine,” she added. – September 8, 2018.