SIK: Perikatan Nasional election director Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the wave of support for the coalition in today's six-state election is significantly stronger than what was observed during the 15th General Election (GE15) held in November, last year.
The caretaker Menteri Besar expressed confidence that this wave would allow PN to retain three states—Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu—while acknowledging the possibility of changes in the three states held by Pakatan Harapan (PH).
"I don't foresee any difficulties in securing a victory in Kedah. I have a positive outlook on today's polls. Alhamdulillah, many voters arrived early at the polling centres to cast their votes.
"As a candidate, naturally, I am hopeful that my party will emerge victorious. I see promising opportunities based on the developments over the past several days.
"There have been indications of a much larger wave than the one seen during GE15, especially in Kedah and Selangor.
"There is potential for surprises in Penang, and a rise in Negri Sembilan. Kedah and Kelantan are safe states (for PN).
"I believe there will be changes in state governments after these polls, although it might not occur in all states, but there will be some shifts," he told reporters after casting his vote at the SK Bandar Baharu Beris Jaya polling centre here.
Sanusi said he is hoping for a voter turnout of 83 per cent today, similar to the turnout recorded during GE15.
"I believe the wave is far stronger due to a larger number of outstation voters returning to cast their ballots.
"A higher voter turnout will result in a greater victory for PN. Pakatan Harapan supporters who are outstation are refraining from returning to vote as they understand that their votes will not change the outcome," he said.
Sanusi, who is defending his Jeneri seat for the second term is facing a straight fight with Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Muhamad Khizri Abu Kassim.
In the 14th General Election (GE14) Sanusi defeated BN incumbent Mahadzir Abdul Hamid and Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan with a 2,455 majority votes in a three-cornered fight.
There are 35,079 eligible voters in the constituency with over 90 per cent are Malay voters.