The smiles are back in the Pakatan camp after an early scare. Thanks to efforts by party workers and their strategists, a lunch-time surge in turnout has put their forecast for retaining the 7,000-odd votes it obtained in 2008 back on track. “It’s better now and we continue to hope for the best,” said PKR candidate Mansor Othman.
PKR election director Saifuddin Nasution is confident that Pakatan candidate Mansor had bagged at least 75 percent of all votes cast so far. Based on the 2pm turnout of 5,964, this roughly translates to 4,500 PKR votes, which means, it needs only another 2,500 votes until 5pm to hit its internal target. The PKR had been assured of victory right from the start because Penanti is part of the Permatang Pauh stronghold of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin, who like Mansor was a former political secretary to Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, is hopeful for another 20 to 25 percent in the next few hours to 5pm. However he cautioned this was provided it did not rain. The Pakatan had days ago announced it expected a weak turnout of 55 to 60 percent, lower than the 70 percent forecast by the EC.
“After going to the ground, we found that everyone was sure we would win. That’s why we factored complacency very heavily into our calculations and erred on the side of caution. So, provided the weather holds out, if in the next three hours till 5 pm, we get another 20 to 25 percent turnout, that would be great,” said Sim.
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