Melaka Polls: Turnout Hits 48% by 1pm, EC Eyes 70% Target

By MIKE PAUL

MELAKA, Nov 14 — Melaka state election turnout climbed to 48.13 per cent by 1pm today, with 322,072 of the state’s 669,211 ordinary voters casting their ballots five hours after polling centres opened, according to the Election Commission (EC).

The figure, released in the commission’s hourly update, was up from 38.38 per cent, or 256,827 voters, at noon. That means more than 65,000 voters turned up in the space of a single hour.

Polling began simultaneously at 8am at 240 polling centres with 1,213 voting streams across the state and is due to close at 6pm. A total of 79 candidates are contesting the 28 state assembly seats.

Sungai Udang Leads, Bandar Hilir Trails

Based on the EC’s 1pm figures, Sungai Udang (N.11) recorded the highest turnout at 58.48 per cent, followed by Serkam (N.26) at 52.04 per cent and Tanjung Bidara (N.02) at 51.80 per cent.

The lowest readings were in Bandar Hilir (N.22) at 39.22 per cent, Kota Laksamana (N.20) at 41.32 per cent and Kesidang (N.19) at 41.36 per cent. Kesidang has the largest electorate of the 28 seats.

Serkam had topped the table earlier in the day, recording 38.55 per cent at 11.30am, while Sungai Udang moved from among the three lowest seats at noon to the highest an hour later. Several of these seats were highlighted in TNS News’ earlier look at five seats to watch in the Melaka polls.

EC Confident of Reaching 70 Per Cent

EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said the commission remained confident of meeting its minimum turnout target. “A minimum of 70 per cent is achievable this time,” he told reporters after visiting a polling station at SJKC Malim, according to Bernama.

Ramlan said the first result was expected to be announced by 9.30pm, with official results for all 28 seats expected before midnight.

He added that more than 7,000 registered voters with disabilities had already voted by late morning, and that real-time data showed turnout among women was higher than among men. He also said 301 minor election offences had been reported as of Friday night, mostly involving the installation of campaign materials.

Use Official Channels Only, Voters Told

The EC also cautioned voters against using unofficial links to check their registration details, advising them to confirm their status only through its official website at www.spr.gov.my. In a Facebook post, the commission urged the public to verify information before sharing it.

Rain Forecast Pushes Voters Out Early

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) had forecast afternoon thunderstorms across Melaka’s three districts on polling day, prompting party leaders and candidates to urge voters to cast their ballots in the morning.

Caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, who is also Melaka Barisan Nasional (BN) chief, said arrangements had been made to assist voters should wet weather affect polling. He voted at SK Jeram in Tanjung Bidara, where he faces Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Mohd Yunazri Mustamiri in a straight fight.

Early voting for security personnel and their spouses was held on Nov 10, recording a physical turnout of 94.96 per cent. Those votes are not included in the ordinary-voter figures.

The election follows the dissolution of the 15th Melaka State Legislative Assembly on Sept 23. In the previous state election in November 2021, BN won 21 of the 28 seats, PH took five and Perikatan Nasional (PN) two. TNS News earlier reported that the EC had set its sights on a 70 per cent turnout as the 14-day campaign came to a close.

– TNS News