PORT DICKSON: Early voting for the Negri Sembilan polls recorded a 91.06% turnout rate, says the Election Commission (EC).
EC secretary Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus said 14,995 out of 16,467 eligible voters, comprising army and police personnel as well as their spouses, cast their votes on Tuesday (July 28).
Early voting was carried out across 38 polling stations in the state.
“We express our gratitude and congratulate all involved in exercising their responsibilities today,” Khairul Shahril said in a statement.
Earlier on Tuesday, EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said the commission targeted a 90% turnout rate for early voting but was optimistic that final numbers would exceed that target, citing the 94.49% early voter turnout rate recorded at the recently concluded Johor polls.
He also said a 72% to 75% turnout rate was targeted for polling day this Saturday (Aug 1), attributing it to the lively campaign atmosphere for the state polls.
A total of 103 candidates are contesting for the 36 seats in the Negri Sembilan state assembly.
Pakatan Harapan is contesting all 36 while Barisan Nasional is contesting 25.
Bersatu, meanwhile, is contesting 24 seats while Perikatan Nasional is contesting 11.
Berjasa, Parti Orang Asli Malaysia and Parti Sosialis Malaysia are fielding one candidate each, with four independent candidates also contesting at the state polls.
