SEREMBAN: Police have identified 26 election hotspots and 15 flashpoints across Negri Sembilan ahead of the state polls on Aug 1, says Deputy Comm Datuk Alzafny Ahmad.
The state police chief said Seremban tops the watchlist with 11 designated hotspots.
Other flagged areas include Jempol and Tampin with five hotspots each, Nilai (three) and Rembau (two).
"These hotspots were determined based on the latest Special Branch intelligence reports and past elections.
"However, these are dynamic and can change depending on the situation including who the candidates are as well as the number of aspirants contesting in the constituency," he told reporters at the state police contingent headquarters Thursday (July 9).
To counter potential unrest, additional police personnel will be deployed to the high-risk zones ahead of schedule.
"The pre-positioning strategy aims to ensure security forces can instantly suppress any disruptions," he said, adding that the people should also not touch on the 3R (race, religion and royalty) issues.
Police, he said, would also be closely monitoring 15 separate flashpoints, which are categorised as potentially sensitive areas where security conditions can potentially deteriorate.
DCP Alzafny said police were at the high level of readiness and would deploy 4,800 personnel to provide security throughout the state.
He said an additional 1,373 personnel will be sent over from Bukit Aman to help out in the state polls.
"The additional personnel will be here a few days before and after polling," he said, adding that Negri Sembilan police had also deployed 700 personnel to help out in the Johor polls which will take place on July 11.
The nomination day for the Negri Sembilan polls is on July 18 and voting on Aug 1.
There are 36 seats in the state legislative assembly.
In the Aug 2023 state polls, Pakatan Harapan won 17 seats followed by Barisan Nasional (14) and Perikatan Nasional (five).
