JOHOR BAHRU: Johor takes centre stage on Saturday (July 11) as more than 2.7 million eligible voters are expected to cast their ballots in the 16th state election to choose their representatives for the State Legislative Assembly.
Polling stations will open simultaneously at 8 am, with 1,076 polling centres and 4,889 voting streams operating across the state to enable voters to decide the mandate for all 56 state seats.
The vote follows the conclusion of the 14-day campaign period at midnight on Friday (July 10).
Polling centres will close in stages between 11am and 6pm, depending on location, before the vote-counting process begins. A total of 24,677 postal ballots issued must also be returned by 6 pm today.
The polling stations expected to close early are on Pulau Besar at 11am, followed by Pulau Aur and Pulau Pemanggil at noon.
To ensure a smooth voting process, the Election Commission (EC) has deployed 43,036 election workers throughout the state.
The EC is targeting a voter turnout of about 70 per cent, with full results expected as early as 10pm.
Voter turnout in the 2022 Johor state election stood at 54.92%.
Meanwhile, employers have been reminded to allow employees reasonable time off to fulfil their voting responsibilities.
On Tuesday, 20,607 early voters, comprising members of the police, armed forces and their spouses, cast their ballots.
According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department's forecast issued yesterday, morning rain is expected in Johor Bahru, Batu Pahat, Kulai, Muar, Pontian and Tangkak, while conditions are forecast to improve in the afternoon and evening.
Thunderstorms are expected in Kluang, Kota Tinggi and Segamat in the afternoon, while similar conditions are forecast for Mersing from the afternoon into the evening.
A total of 172 candidates are contesting the election, with Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) fielding 56 candidates each, followed by Perikatan Nasional (33), Parti Bersama Malaysia (15), the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) (four), Parti Orang Asli Malaysia (one), Parti Sosialis Malaysia (one) and six independent candidates.
Before the State Legislative Assembly was dissolved on June 1, BN held 40 seats, followed by PH with 12, Perikatan Nasional with three and MUDA with one. – Bernama
