JEMPOL, July 29 (Bernama) -- Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Jeram Padang state seat, G. Manivanan, says he has reached more than 85 per cent of voters through his grassroots campaign efforts ahead of polling day on Aug 1.
Manivanan, who is the political secretary to the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president, said his campaign has progressed according to plan, and he is confident of covering the remaining 15 per cent of the constituency over the next three days.
"In fact, I began campaigning nearly three months ago. During the official campaign period, I have received positive and encouraging feedback from voters. We have covered most parts of the constituency, and in some areas I have returned several times to meet residents.
"The remaining areas mainly involve specific housing estate lanes and remote locations that were previously overlooked. We will visit them as soon as possible," he told Bernama after attending a community afternoon tea event with PH Communications Director Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil at Felda Bukit Rokan Barat here last night.
The former Kapar Member of Parliament said all campaign workers have been instructed to remain disciplined and avoid actions that could undermine voter confidence.
"I am drawing on nearly 20 years of political experience to ensure the campaign proceeds smoothly and to avoid the last-minute mistakes that often occur during elections," he said.
Manivanan said his campaign is currently focused on explaining his 10 key pledges, which include clean governance, job creation, public welfare, youth and women's empowerment, education, affordable housing, modern agriculture, tourism development, healthcare, and infrastructure improvements for residents of the Jeram Padang constituency.
Commenting on the constituency's voter composition, comprising about 56 per cent Malays, 33 per cent Indians, 10 per cent Chinese, with the remainder from other communities, he said the PH campaign machinery has adopted a structured daily schedule to ensure balanced outreach.
"We have a working formula. Our daily programme is planned according to the local demographic composition. We make sure to visit Chinese residential areas, Malay villages, Indian settlements, and Orang Asli villages.
"We recently identified smaller communities, such as Kampung Tasik Seri Pancor, where residents said political leaders rarely visit. This personal-touch approach is important to ensure no voter is left behind," he said.
Jeram Padang is witnessing a four-cornered contest involving incumbent Datuk Mohd Zaidy Abdul Kadir of Barisan Nasional (BN), Manivanan, Datuk R. Sri Sanjeevan of Bersatu, and Dayana Dal of the Parti Orang Asli Malaysia.
In the previous state election, Mohd Zaidy retained the seat with a 693-vote majority, making Jeram Padang one of the marginal seats in Negeri Sembilan.
According to the Election Commission's electoral roll updated on June 4, Jeram Padang, one of four state constituencies under the Jempol parliamentary constituency, has 16,590 registered voters.
Located in the Jempol district, Jeram Padang is predominantly a rubber-growing area situated along the main route linking Bahau with Gemas and Tampin in Negeri Sembilan.
For the latest news on the Negeri Sembilan state election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/n9
-- BERNAMA