KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional is optimistic that the coalition representing the unity government for the Nenggiri by-election could win the state seat.
Its chairman and Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said despite having a slim chance to win the seat, the outcome of the by-election will help Umno to maintain its political presence in the Pas-led state.
"We cannot predict the outcome (in the past) such as in Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis where we do not have any representatives in the state legislative assembly.
"However, in Kelantan, we still have two representatives in the state despite how strong the state government might be there.
"There is a chance for us (Umno) to win but the majority is very slim. But, whatever it is, we hope to win even with (majority of) one vote," he said during a special interview today in conjunction with the Umno General Assembly.
Zahid added that the win will also allow Umno's presence to continue so that the party will not turn irrelevant in the state.
"The seat will contribute to becoming a third important pillar for us to establish a strong political presence in Kelantan."
A total of 20,216 eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots today for the Nenggiri by-election, which is seeing a straight fight between BN candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani and Perikatan Nasional's Rizwadi Ismail.
As of 2pm today, the Election Commission announced that a total of 63.58 per cent of voters have cast their ballots.
Its chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said the commission is confident that it can achieve the target of 60 per cent voter turnout for the polling day today.