Melaka polls: Stroke patient goes to vote in ambulance

ALOR GAJAH, Nov 20  -- A stroke patient, Abdul Rahim Yaacob, determined to exercise his right to vote at the Melaka state election, was taken to the polling centre by ambulance due to his limited movements.

Abdul Rahim, 57, who was in a wheelchair, ferried from his house in Kampung Durian Daun, about 2.4 kilometres from the polling centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Durian Daun 'K’, by a St John Ambulance of Malaysia.

Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, Abdul Rahim said the Election Commission staff at the polling centre were very helpful as he needed assistance to move around for the voting process.

“If we lose one vote, we lose, so I vote. Even though I am unwell due to stroke, I must fulfil my responsibility to vote as a citizen,” he said.

 The Melaka polls voting process began at 8 am today with the opening of 217 polling centres involving 1,109 channels for the people of Melaka to choose a new government.

The process involving 476,037 normal voters out of a total of 495,195 registered voters will be managed by a total of 12,290 election officials in all 28 state constituencies until polling ends at 5.30 pm.

 The state election was called following the dissolution of the Melaka State Legislative Assembly on Oct 4 when four of the assemblymen withdrew their support for the leadership of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.

-- BERNAMA