KUCHING: With Sarawak’s 13th state election just weeks away, political parties are gearing up to mobilise their machinery and engage with voters, while civic groups are urging the electorate to make their voices count through informed choices.
For Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) Youth chief Christopher Gira Sambang, one of the key challenges is getting young voters to participate, particularly those living away from their hometowns.
“Many are studying at universities or colleges, while others are working in urban areas.
“Returning home to vote can be difficult because of their study or work commitments and the travel involved,” he said.
The Election Commission (EC) announced yesterday that polling for the state election would be held on Dec 12, with nomination on Nov 28 and early voting on Dec 8.
Gira said the 14-day campaign period would give candidates sufficient time to meet voters and explain their priorities and commitments.
He said improved road access and wider Internet coverage had made it easier to reach voters in rural areas, adding that digital platforms would play an important role in PRS Youth’s campaign communication.
“Improved road connectivity also makes movement between communities easier, helping our members reach voters during the campaign period,” he said.
Meanwhile, civil society organisation Persatuan Pemangkin Daya Masyarakat (PPDM) urged voters to check their details and polling locations ahead of the election, make arrangements to return to their constituencies and familiarise themselves with postal voting procedures if eligible.
It also called on the EC to ensure that all voters, particularly those in rural and remote communities, senior citizens and persons with disabilities, have fair and accessible opportunities to cast their ballots.
Meanwhile, EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said the latest electoral roll, for September 2026 and updated as of Oct 25, would be used for the Sarawak election.
The roll contains 2,058,781 voters, comprising 2,034,373 ordinary voters, 13,575 military personnel and their spouses, and 10,833 police personnel and their spouses.
He said applications for postal voting opened on Oct 26 and would close on Nov 25 for election workers, EC members and officials, as well as police, military and media personnel.
For Malaysians overseas, as well as agencies and organisations, the closing date is Nov 20.
