Melaka:The Election Commission (EC) is targeting a voter turnout of up to 95 percent for the early voting phase of the 16th Melaka state election today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun reported that as of 1035 am, 53.25 percent or 5,286 early voters had cast their ballots across 31 polling centres, which encompass 50 polling streams. He further noted that 19 early voting streams with a smaller number of voters would close at noon, while the remaining streams would close in stages at 2 pm and 5 pm.

Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun also highlighted that the early voting process involves 9,769 military personnel and 2,762 police personnel, bringing the total number of early voters to 12,531. He provided this update while speaking to reporters at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kem Terendak in Sungai Udang.

In addition, Ramlan mentioned that the EC has received 237 reports concerning election offences during the campaign period, which began after the nomination of candidates on October 31. These violations mainly pertain to minor infractions under election regulations, such as issues related to the display of contesting parties' flags and campaign materials.

He emphasized that, aside from these minor issues, the election process has been smooth without major incidents and urged all parties to maintain order throughout the remainder of the campaign period. A total of 79 candidates from various political parties, coalitions, and independent candidates are contesting in the Melaka state election. The EC has scheduled November 14 as the official polling day, with early voting occurring today.