MELAKA, Nov 13 — The 14-day campaign period for the 16th Melaka State Election draws to a close at 11.59 pm tonight, setting the stage for voters to head to the polls tomorrow.
According to the Election Commission (EC), a total of 675,166 ordinary voters are eligible to cast their ballots to elect representatives to the 28-seat State Legislative Assembly.
A total of 240 polling stations, comprising 1,213 polling streams, are scheduled to operate across the state tomorrow, with voting taking place from 8 am to 6 pm.
Overall, 687,697 registered voters are eligible to vote in the state election, including 12,531 military personnel and their spouses, as well as police personnel, who exercised their voting rights during early voting on Tuesday.
Early voting on Tuesday saw 9,417 voters, or 94.96 per cent of the 9,917 eligible early voters, cast their ballots at 31 polling centres, while another 2,614 voted by post.
A total of 79 candidates from various political parties, as well as independents, are vying for the 28 state seats following the nomination process on October 31.
Pakatan Harapan (Harapan) is contesting the most seats, fielding 24 candidates, followed by Barisan Nasional (BN) with 23, Parti Bersama Malaysia (16), Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (seven), Perikatan Nasional (five), Parti Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (one) and three independents.
The state election is being held following the dissolution of the 15th Melaka State Legislative Assembly on September 23, with the consent of the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka, Tun Mohd Ali Rustam.
The 15th Melaka State Election, held on November 20, 2021, saw BN secure 21 of the 28 seats, while Harapan won five and PN two.
