Melaka:The early voting process for the 16th Melaka state election commenced successfully this morning, with security personnel taking advantage of the favorable weather to arrive at polling centers early.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the polling center at the multipurpose hall of the Melaka police contingent headquarters saw police personnel arriving as early as 730 am, with the first votes cast at 753 am. The orderly process continued smoothly after the polls opened at 8 am, facilitated by Election Commission (EC) officials. A total of 817 police personnel are expected to vote at this location.
Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar observed the early voting process and cast his vote at 842 am. The Ayer Keroh state constituency is witnessing a four-way contest between incumbent Kerk Chee Yee from Pakatan Harapan, Datuk Seri Michael Gan Peng Lam from Perikatan Nasional, Muhammad Muhaimin Lau Abdullah from Parti Bersama Malaysia, and Mohd Hamnaim Mohamad from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia. Mohd Hamnaim was also present at the polling center.
At Kem Terendak in Sungai Udang, military personnel and their spouses participated in the voting, with polling stations opening at 8 am. Some voters arrived with children, capturing media attention. Voters verified their details at military-set counters before proceeding to their polling streams, with EC officials assisting throughout the process.
The camp featured three polling centers Sekolah Kebangsaan Kem Terendak I with six streams for 2,850 voters, Sekolah Kebangsaan Kem Terendak II with six streams for 2,660 voters, and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kem Terendak with five streams for 2,189 voters.
Overall, 31 early voting centers for the Melaka state election opened at 8 am, enabling 12,531 security personnel and their spouses to vote. According to EC statistics, this includes 9,769 military personnel and spouses, and 2,762 police personnel. The polling centers will close at staggered times of 12 pm, 2 pm, and 5 pm as scheduled by the EC. In total, 687,697 voters are eligible for this election, with November 14 designated as the main polling day.