PONTIAN: It was a hectic day for G. Saraswati who had to travel back to Johor from Singapore on Saturday (Nov 19) itself to vote in the 15th General Election (GE15).
The 43-year-old said she left the island republic as soon as she finished her shift as a factory operator at 6am.
"I got into a chartered van right after I finished work. The driver dropped me in Tampoi where my car was parked.
"I then rushed back to Pekan Nanas to vote.
"It was very tiring but it was not a big deal as this is my responsibility," she said, adding that she reached Pekan Nanas at about noon.
The mother of five added that she had to make her way back to Singapore by 3pm as she was working the following day.
"Right after I was done voting, I had lunch with my family, prayed and got ready to make my way back to Singapore.
"I cannot afford to stay later as I have to start work at 6am on Sunday (Nov 20)," she added.
Saraswati, who was met at the SK Pengkalan Raja polling centre in Pekan Nanas, came with her six siblings including one sister who is voting for the first time; as well as her two children and her 59-year-old mother.
"For us, voting is a must. My family has been going to polling centres together every election.
"In fact, my mother will be upset if any of us say that we cannot go out to vote. She always reminds us that it is our responsibility as citizens," she added.
Also casting their votes here were twins Nursyakirah Baharin and Nursyahidah Baharin, both 21.
"We took some time to listen to ceramah, both on the ground and online, and did some other research before deciding who to vote for.
"Although this is the second time we are voting, it is still pretty exciting," said Nursyakirah, who voted with her sister in the March state election.
Meanwhile, at the SJKC Yu Ming polling centre, factory worker Gan Lai Heng, 56, did not let the downpour keep him from voting.
"I used to live in Pekan Nanas and I am still registered to vote here although I moved to Johor Baru 10 years ago.
"I left my house in Perling at 6am as I was worried that the rain may cause traffic jams.
"I managed to have breakfast at my favourite coffee shop here and met some of my old friends before voting," he said, adding that the process went on smoothly.
Pekan Nanas is in the Tanjung Piai parliamentary constituency, which is seeing a three-way fight involving Barisan Nasional incumbent Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng, Perikatan Nasional's Najwah Halimah Ab Alim, and Muda's Lim Wei Jiet.
