Three voters die at polling centres

The police today confirmed that three voters died while waiting for their turn to cast their ballots in the 15th general election (GE15).

Without providing further details, Inspector-General of Police Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said two deaths were reported in Johor and one in Kelantan.

"These incidents are quite upsetting because these voters had health problems and died while queuing to vote," he told a press conference at the Gombak district police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

He also mentioned an incident where a 23-year-old man grabbed a bottle of indelible ink and pushed down a ballot box at the polling centre in SK Ulu Yam Lama, Batang Kali, Selangor.

However, he said it was an isolated incident involving a man suspected to be mentally ill.
 
On the death of two voters in Johor, the state Election Commission said in a statement that both of them were senior citizens aged 85, who died at their respective polling centres in the Sembrong and Pulai parliamentary constituencies this morning.

It said Sh Juhara Syed Mohamad died at 9.30am at SMK Sultan Ismail, Johor Bahru.

"The voter died suddenly after voting and suffering from shortness of breath. She was found to be unwell when she came to the voting stream but still wanted to cast her vote," it said.

According to the statement, the other voter, Tuminah Ambiah, died at SJKC Lit Terk, Kluang, at 10.21am.

"She died suddenly before voting and was pronounced dead by health ministry personnel on the scene," it added.

Meanwhile, Kelantan police chief Muhamad Zaki Harun said a polling agent died at the polling centre in Sekolah Kebangsaan Agama Lati in Pasir Mas this morning.

He said Mohd Jailani Alias, 53, collapsed after arriving at the school at about 8am and was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was taken to Hospital Pasir Mas for post-mortem.

"So far, the case is classified as sudden death pending the post-mortem report.

"The deceased hails from Kampung Pondok Lati, and this is the first case of a death at a polling centre in Kelantan," he told reporters.