Sarawak election: 24,604 early voters to cast ballots today

Sarawakians will be switching to election mode today when 24,604 early voters start casting their ballots at 79 polling centres involving 100 polling centres from 8am to 5pm.

Sarawak Election Commission director Datuk Takun Sunggah said the 24,604 registered voters comprise police, General Operations Force, military personnel and their spouses.

"I hope the voting process will go on smoothly. We also hope the voters will turn up early to cast their votes and within the stipulated time," he told reporters here on Monday.

The figure does not include Bukit Kota and Bukit Sari seats which were won uncontested by Barisan Nasional candidates on nomination day (April 25).

"The ballot papers (early voting) will not be counted at the respective polling centres but instead be collected and kept in police lockups. Counting of these ballots will start at 4pm on polling day (May 7).

"It will be done at the vote tallying centres in the presence of the polling agents of the respective candidates," Abdul Ghani said in a statement here today.

Abdul Ghani said indelible ink would be used in the early voting process just like in normal voting and will be handled by EC staff.

He said the ballot papers and indelible ink for the polls would be sent using three helicopters and two light aircraft.

"Equipment for voting need to be sent by air to 41 state assembly seats, including areas in Sibu, Sri Aman, Miri and Batu Danau in Limbang, Saratok, Sarikei, Pakan, Julau, Kapit, Belaga, Sungai Isap, Tanjung Manis, Bario and Mukah," he said.

He said ballot papers for postal voting had been sent to the respective constituencies by April 27.

Takun said the EC was also ready to face the election process on May 7.

For the 11th Sarawak state election, 1,113,522 registered voters are eligible to cast their votes.

The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly will see contests for 82 seats following the creation of 11 new seats after a redelineation exercise.

The Bukit Kota and Bukit Sari seats were won uncontested by BN incumbents, Abdul Rahman Ismail and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan respectively, on Nomination Day.