Kota Kinabalu: Early voting for Sabah’s 17th state election recorded an impressive turnout, Tuesday, with polling centres operating smoothly across the state, according to the Election Commission (EC).
Voting began at 8am at 58 early polling centres and closed at 5pm. A total of 8,347 armed forces personnel and spouses, along with 10,696 police personnel, General Operations Force members and their spouses, were eligible.
The EC said 92.5 per cent of these voters, or 17,615 individuals, fulfilled their responsibility.
EC Secretary Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus congratulated election managers and personnel for an efficient and orderly process.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun cast his vote at 8:48am, saying he was grateful to fulfil his civic responsibility.
Jauteh noted that weather conditions improved as voting began and he encouraged police and military personnel involved in early to come early while conditions remained favourable.
He said the campaign has so far remained under control, despite 85 police reports lodged statewide.
Most reports involve social media misuse and vandalism of campaign materials, with 53 investigation papers opened to date.
He said 7,288 campaign permits have been issued as of midnight, with no complaints regarding the approval process.
He said more than 12,000 police personnel would be deployed on polling day (Nov. 29), supported by over 1,200 reinforcements from Sarawak and Bukit Aman.
“Our preparations are complete. PDRM will ensure peace, order and professionalism before, during and after polling,” he said.
Jauteh added there have been no reports of lost identification cards so far.
“For voters who lose their IC later, a police report will allow SPR to verify their identity,” he said.
He assured that post-polling security measures are ready and will be activated according to situational needs.
In SANDAKAN, 969 Royal Malaysian Navy (TLDM) personnel and their spouses were among the 1,325 early and postal voters.
Among those present was Commander of Naval Region 2 Rear Admiral Datuk Yusne Mokthar, who arrived with his wife.
The remaining early voters comprised police personnel who cast their ballots at the Paduka Mat Salleh Hall, PDRM Apartments, Jalan Tinosan, Batu 4.
