Aziz Idris
A total of 192 residents from Kampong Danau in Tutong District cast their votes recently to nominate 52-year-old retired army warrant officer from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) Haji Mahmud bin Haji Johari as a candidate for the community’s village head at the village’s multi-purpose hall.
The position has been vacant since April 1, 2016.
Haji Mahmud underwent various screenings and interviews before the voting was held.
Acting Tutong District Officer Ajmin bin Haji Meludin oversaw the voting along with officials from the Tutong District Office.
Ajmin, in his speech, stressed the importance of residents’ participation in the village head election and hoped that residents would be more enthusiastic given the importance of the decision.
Legislative Council member Yang Berhormat Haji Ramli bin Haji Lahit and Penghulu of Mukim Telisai was also present.
The number of pre-registered voters for Kampong Danau was 226.
All ballots were marked in privacy booths and placed by the voters in padlocked, transparent ballot boxes.
The boxes were opened to public viewing and counted on the spot after the voting time window closed. A total of 151 residents voted for Haji Mahmud while 36 voted out and five votes were disqualified.
With Haji Mahmud securing the majority votes, his bid to be the new Kampong Danau Village Head will be forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs for further processing.