PEKAN (May 9): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is confident Barisan Nasional (BN) will continue to be given the mandate to helm the country for the next five years.

The BN chairman said the confidence was based on the success of the policies being introduced over the past five years, which had proven to have brought a positive impact on the country’s economy and well-being of the people.

“For the next five years, BN has presented a very comprehensive and credible manifesto that not only focus on driving national development, but more importantly improves the well-being of the people.

"Based on that fact, God willing, I believe and and am confident the people will give their votes to BN,” he told reporters after casting his vote at the Sekolah Sains Sultan Ahmad Shah here today.

Najib, who is defending the Pekan parliamentary seat, said he believed the voters would not vote based on slanders received because they realised the general election does not revolve around that matter, instead it was a platform to elect a credible government with a good track record in developing the country and its people in future.

On the polling process, Najib said the situation was calm and under control despite being marred by issues of personal attacks which did not reflect the actual practices of democracy.

But more importantly, the voters could exercise their rights in determining the future of the country based on the policies that had been implemented, he said.

Earlier Najib  and wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor arrived at the polling station at Sekolah Sains Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah at 9.20 am to cast their ballot.

He and wife, both attired in blue, later exchanged greetings with the voters before the leaving the school compound after casting their vote at 9.30 am.

Najib is defending the Pekan parliamentary seat, which he held since 1976, against PKR candidate Mohamad Zahid Mat Arip; Capt (B) Ahiatudin Daud of PAS and an Independent, Datuk Mohd Kadir Sainudin in a four-cornered fight.