Melaka:Thirty-one early polling centres for the 16th Melaka State Election opened at 8 am today to enable 12,531 security personnel and their spouses to cast their ballots.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the early voters include 9,769 military personnel and their spouses, and 2,762 police personnel. The polling centres will close in stages as per the schedule set by the Election Commission (EC), namely at 12 noon, 2 pm, and 5 pm.
The state election follows the dissolution of the Melaka State Legislative Assembly on September 23, with the consent of the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka, Tun Mohd Ali Rustam. The EC has scheduled today for early voting and November 14 for polling day.
Overall, 687,697 electors are eligible to vote in this state election. The election features Pakatan Harapan fielding candidates in 24 state seats, Barisan Nasional in 23, Parti Bersama Malaysia in 16, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in seven, Perikatan Nasional in five, Parti Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia in one, and three Independents.
In the 2021 Melaka State Election, Barisan Nasional secured 21 seats to form the state government, while Pakatan Harapan won five seats and Perikatan Nasional two.