Tanjong Datu by-election, an opportune warming up for EC in facing GE14

The Tanjong Datu state by-election here is an opportune warming up for the Election Commission (EC) in facing the coming 14th general elections (GE14).

Its chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hashim Abdullah said it would add up to their officers' expriences in conducting an election well.

"This is especially for my Sarawakian officers, who have another opportunity to add on to their polling management skill after facing the state general election in May last year.

"The local media too will benefit from another great exeprience," he told a media conference after visiting the media centre set up by the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia through the state Information Department for members of the media covering the by-election here today.

Mohd Hashim said the commission was very impressed with the conduct of the Tanjong Datu by-election which had again remained free of any untoward incidents.

"During our roundups of the various polling centres we noticed the absence of any provocative banners from all political parties contesting.

"The people have been very calm and the situation very peaceful. This is the kind of situation that we always want," he said.

Mohd Hashim said the turnout of voters depended a great deal on the weather and it had been raining here since early this morning.

He hoped EC could achieve its target to obtain an overall 75 per cent turnout in the Tanjong Datu by-election.

The by-election is held following the death of Sarawak's fifth Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem due to heart complications on Jan 11 at Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan.

It is a three-cornered contest involving Barisan Nasional, represented by Adenan's widow, Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu; State Reform Party, Sarawak (Star)'s Johnny Aput; and Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) Baru candidate Rapelson Richard Hamit. --BERNAMA