MELAKA: For newlyweds Nur Farah Ain Mustamam and Aidil Aimin Othman, their wedding day came with an added responsibility as they cast their ballots in the Melaka election.
Still dressed in their wedding attire, the couple, both 27, turned heads when they arrived at SK Jalan Datuk Palembang, a polling centre for the Bukit Katil state constituency, today.
The couple had tied the knot at 9am, just hours before heading to the polling centre, making their special day even more memorable.
Aidil, from Paya Ikan, said their solemnisation ceremony was initially scheduled for 10.30am but had been brought forward to ensure they had enough time to vote.
“It was a little hectic,” he said when asked about juggling his wedding ceremony and his responsibility as a voter.
For Nur Farah, from Kampung Ku Sayang in Bukit Baru, the unusual circumstances made their wedding day all the more special.
“I’m happy because we get to go out and vote in our wedding attire. Everyone else is dressed normally, but here we are in our wedding clothes,” she said with a laugh.
She admitted feeling slightly embarrassed by the attention they attracted, particularly from other voters who were surprised to see a bride and groom at the polling centre.
The couple had planned their wedding a year in advance, long before the polling date was announced.
Nur Farah said they had initially expected the state election to be held in early October and were caught off guard when Nov 14 was announced as polling day.
“We had already made all the bookings, including the wedding dais, so we decided to proceed with our original date,” she said.
Despite their tight schedule, the couple were determined not to miss the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.
After accompanying her husband to SK Jalan Datuk Palembang, Nur Farah said they would head to another polling centre in Bukit Baru so she could cast her ballot.
Both said this was their third time voting.
Asked about their hopes for Melaka’s future, the newlyweds said they wanted the next state government to govern responsibly and fulfil its election promises.
“We hope whoever forms the next state government will administer Melaka well and deliver on the promises made to the people,” Nur Farah said.