PAPAR: The results of the 17th Sabah State Election should start coming in by 10pm Saturday (Nov 29), and the full outcome should be known by midnight, says Election Commission chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun.
According to Ramlan, the EC has mobilised helicopters at 85 polling centres in remote areas and islands to gather ballot papers.
"Some places are quite far away, such as Banggi Island, so we have prepared helicopters at these places.
"Some polling centres also closed at noon today," he told reporters after observing the voting process at SK Kawang in Papar.
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According to Ramlan, the EC has learnt from its experience in previous Sabah elections, where the results of certain seats were only finalised a day after the polls.
"We are expecting to not face delays. So let's pray that we receive the results before midnight," he added.
He also said 85 polling centres closed at noon because they had a low number of voters.
"Most of these centres have fewer than 100 voters. That is why we could close them by noon," he said.
Ramlan said the counting of ballot papers would be done at polling stations by EC officers in the presence of candidates’ agents.
"We will make sure all counting agents are present to observe the process. As long as an agent does not sign off, the result is not final," he added.
A total of 596 candidates from 23 parties, as well as Independents, are contesting 73 seats in the legislative assembly.
