TAMBUNAN, Sept 26 -- The Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate from STAR for the Tambunan seat, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, has predicted a lower voter turnout in the constituency because of fears over the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I expect a lower turnout because of fears over the COVID-19 pandemic. This morning I noticed the standard operating procedure (SOP) was complied with by voters. The weather is wonderful,” he said today.

Jeffrey hoped that more people would come out to vote.

“The only thing that worries me is some voters may not turn up because of fear of the pandemic, given today’s report on the spike in COVID-19 cases in Sabah,” he told reporters after casting his vote at SK Pekan Tambunan.

Jeffrey voted at 9.50 am, accompanied by his wife Cecilia Edwin and his officers.

He said the voting schedule provided by the Election Commission (EC) to voters had greatly helped the polling process.

Jeffrey noticed a high level of enthusiasm among the people to vote, especially the younger and middle-aged groups.

“We must thank the EC officers on duty for assisting the elderly voters,” he said.

Jeffrey is involved in a six-cornered fight against Datuk Dr Laurentius Nayan Ambu from Upko, Sylvernus Bruno (PBS), Damian Richard Marcus Podtung (PCS), Nordin Jaini @ Zaini (PGRS) and Jimmy Palikat (Independent).

In the last general election, Jeffrey won the seat by beating his brother Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, who was then the PBS president, and two others.

-- BERNAMA