SG BAKAP POLLS: PH ON 'GOTV' MODE IN FINAL 48 HRS OF CAMPAIGNING

NIBONG TEBAL, July 4 (Bernama) -- With only two days left to go before the Sungai Bakap state by-election, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) machinery is using the 'GOTV' or ‘get out the vote’ war cry to garner as many votes as possible.

PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the party's machinery is now focused on meeting as many voters as possible in the constituency before the campaign period ends at 11.59 pm tomorrow.

“Get out the votes is our mantra, our chant for the remainder of this by-election campaign. Our briefing earlier was also focused on GOTV,” he said at a PH press conference at the Unity Government's Main Operations Room in Sungai Bakap here today.

Also present were PH election director for the by-election Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, the Prime Minister’s Senior Political Secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin and PH candidate Dr Joohari Ariffin.

Saifuddin Nasution said PH is optimistic that Joohari will achieve victory in the Sungai Bakap seat this Saturday based on the level of cooperation between the PH and Barisan Nasional (BN) machineries, which have successfully formed a very inclusive and strong working relationship at both the state and national levels.

The PKR secretary-general also said the effectiveness of the party's machinery in using new media channels for campaigning is another factor that contributes to the measurement of their potential victory, which appears to favour PH.

“The PH candidate's campaign schedule has reached out to all polling districts, which we guide based on data from previous voting results. We focus on maintaining and increasing this strength.

“In the final 48 hours, we will zoom in on a micro level and see that the outreach approach has successfully penetrated the grassroots due to the strength of the mobilised machinery,” he said.

Saifuddin Nasution, who is also Home Minister, said this confidence is also based on the opponent's campaign, which rarely sees top leaders coming down and whose machinery is not fully committed in Sungai Bakap.

Meanwhile, Mohamad said the joint and solid work of the election machinery in the eight polling districts is believed will be able to secure a win for the PH candidate.

“Insya-Allah in the remaining less than 48 hours, we will not stop the house-to-house campaign, group talks, and tomorrow night will end with the Ceramah Mega Perpaduan,” he said.

The by-election is a straight fight between Joohari and Nibong Tebal PAS vice-chief Abidin Ismail.

The seat fell vacant following the death of incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff of PAS on May 24 due to stomach inflammation.

-- BERNAMA