KEMAMAN: Long queues could be witnessed at polling centres for the Kemaman parliamentary seat by-election with voters turning up early to beat the forecast of heavy rain later in the day.
A steady stream of voters were spotted waiting outside the SMK Ceneh Baru entrance here as early as 7am with some coming armed with umbrellas.
Clear skies had made it easier for voters to reach the polling centre and many were eager to do their part in the electoral process here.
Kampung Baru Cheneh villager Ahmad Sahyuti, 60, said he came to the polling centre at 7.15am and was surprised to find a group of people lining up ahead of him.
"I thought I was among the first. My plan was to cast my ballots before going for breakfast.....the weather has been uncertain over the past few days and I was worried it might rain later.
"Surprisingly, the weather is quite promising but it might rain. So it is best to come out early to vote," he said when met.
Ahmad said he was informed that another polling centre in the constituency - SK Cheneh Baru - where several of his friends had gone to cast their ballots also saw a high voter turnout.
Meanwhile, Syed Tazli Syed Abdul Kadir, 63, said he was the first among his family members to cast their ballots today.
"I arrived at 7.30am and was allowed to enter at 8am. Although there was a huge crowd, the process was completed in less than 10 minutes....I believe everyone came early fearing the weather," he said.
Meanwhile, plantation worker Zulkifli Sabtu, 33, said there was a huge turnout of voters patiently waiting at the main entrance before the centre opened at 8am.
"The majority of us are out early to avoid the wet weather. It will be worse when it rains heavily and prevents us from leaving our homes.....I have already exercised my rights to vote," he said, lifting his left index finger stained with blue indelible ink.
The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) website had reported there will be rain in the Kemaman district from morning till evening.
The Kemaman parliamentary seat by-election will see a straight fight between Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar of Pas and Barisan Nasional's General (Rtd) Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor.
The by-election was called following the decision of the Terengganu Election Court on Sept 26 to annul the victory of Pas candidate Che Alias in the 15th general election (GE15).