KUCHING: The Election Commission (EC) has reported a 52 per cent voter turnout in the Sarawak state election as of 3 pm today, two hours before polling centres officially close.

A total of 1,213,769 ordinary voters began casting their ballots at 1,866 polling centres for the 82 state constituencies from 7.30 am.

On Dec 14, a total of 18,141 out of 20,360 registered early voters had cast their votes while 17,885 voted by post.

Depending on the number of voters, several centres were closed in stages from 11 am. The EC has targeted a 70 per cent voter turnout.

There are 13 three-cornered fights; four-cornered (33); five-cornered (24); six-cornered (seven); and eight-cornered (one) in this state election as well as four straight contests.

Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is fielding 82 candidates for the polls, followed by Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) 73, Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) 70, Parti Keadilan Rakat (PKR) 28, DAP 26, Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (Aspirasi) 15, Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB) 11, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) eight, Parti Sedar Rakyat Sarawak (Sedar) five and PAS one.

Thirty independent candidates are in the fray as well.

-- BERNAMA