Voters spoilt for choice, candidates on pins and needles
By Soon Li Wei
KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- For voters in the 14th general election (GE14), the more candidates the constituency has, the merrier and more choices they have in making up their minds on who should become their representative.
But for the candidates, it means 'spoilt votes', which could affect their chances of winning.
It is a three or more-cornered fight in most state and parliamentary constituencies in GE14, "which will allow voters to assess and decide which party and candidate would be capable of bringing change to their area," according to political analyst, Assoc Prof Datuk Zainal Abidin Borhan of University of Malaya.
"For instance, an eatery, the more dishes it serves, the better for customers, although they might be spoilt for choice. Similarly in an election, if there are more contenders in the arena, the people have the advantage to make the best decision on whether to choose Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan or Gagasan Sejahtera.
"The people are also more mature now and I'm sure they would make the best decision for the future of the country, as the 'mother' of all elections is the choice they make on D-Day, May 9," he told Bernama.
According to political analyst, Assoc Prof Dr Jeniri Amir of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, multi-cornered fights would potentially split the votes for the opposition.
"It may give voters more options but it could also split the votes particularly in marginal seats, where the majorities were small in the last general election.
"The multi-cornered contests will actually benefit BN indirectly because the challenge there for the opposition is that the votes for them would be split due to overlapping," he said.
Dr Jeniri sees the battle for the Kuching (Sarawak), Ayer Hitam (Johor), Teluk Intan (Perak) and Langkawi (Kedah) parliamentary seats as the ones to watch.
"Equally attention-grabbing are the prominent candidates in areas where their opponents are just as formidable.
"For example, the tussle between Gerakan president Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong and Perak DAP chairman Nga Kor Ming who is known for being vocal, in Teluk Intan, which will definitely be in the spotlight among Chinese voters," he said.
On the scenario in Sabah and Sarawak, Jeniri said it was different from that in the Peninsula as voters were not influenced by the party factor but more inclined to base their decision on the candidate.
"The candidate aspect is glaring; studies showed it is very important compared to party because for Sabah and Sarawak, their spirit of locality is strongly based on ethnic diversity.
"For example, areas with a majority of Kadazandusun Murut in Sabah would surely want their candidate to be of the same race and from the same area because they feel the candidate would be able to understand their problem," he said.
He said BN also must not view lightly the influence of opposition blocs in Sabah that were representing the respective ethnic groups.
"For instant, Parti Warisan Sabah led by former UMNO vice president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal is very strong because of his ability to unite the Sabahans of different skin colour, faith, and background," he said.
-- BERNAMA
