Record voter turnout for GE14 despite weekday voting

Malaysia saw the highest voter turnout in its history when 12,299,514 Malaysians voted in the recently concluded 14th General Election (GE14).

The total eligible voters are 14,940,624 people.

This figure represented 82.32 percent of eligible voters. The Election Commission (EC) published the official GE14 figures late Friday.

The 2018 general election's high turnout is even more remarkable, considering that the EC decided to have the voting day mid-week.

The EC has yet to provide any justifications on why they decided to have the voting day on a Wednesday.

The 2013 election saw a voter turnout of 84.84% or 11.257 million voters casting their vote, while the 2008 election turnout was 75.99% or 8.161 million voters casting their vote.

However, both these voting days were held on a weekend.

EC Chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah defended the EC's role as an impartial body.

"The government's transitional process was done peacefully and orderly, despite the various negative allegations made against the EC," says Hashim.

"I congratulate Tun Dr Mahathir for his appointment as the seventh Prime Minister, and also to the other state leaders for having the mandate of the people following this GE," he added.

Tun Dr. Mahathir has stated earlier today in a press conference that investigations into various bodies, including that of the EC will commence to ensure that these institutions do not interfere with the will of the people.

He also remarked that he has lost confidence with the Attorney General and said that the AG has 'let himself down' repeatedly.