Kinabatangan: Undeterred by his visual impairment, 66-year-old Ammase Baco enthusiastically cast his vote in today's Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections, assisted by his daughter. He said this was the second time he had exercised his right to vote, having first done so in the Sabah State Election on Nov 29 last year, after his vision deteriorated in September.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ammase expressed his unwavering commitment to participating in elections despite a severe corneal problem affecting his sight. His eyesight worsened after a fall down the stairs, and for the last two months, he has been entirely blind. Ammase shared his determination at the polling centre at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Garam II.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Siti Khairia Asri, who was casting her vote for the second time, emphasized the importance of fulfilling her responsibilities in the by-elections. She noted that even with the recent state election, young voters like herself had no reason to neglect their civic duties.

The Kinabatangan parliamentary constituency has 48,282 voters eligible to vote today, while the Lamag state constituency registers 13,515 voters. The Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election is a three-cornered contest involving Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar of Barisan Nasional (BN), Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman of Warisan, and Goldam Hamid as an Independent candidate. The Lamag state by-election features a straight fight between Mohd Ismail Ayob of BN and Mazliwati Abdul Malek of Warisan.

These by-elections are being held following the death of the MP, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, on Dec 5 last year.