Sarawak Election: EC expects full results to be late due to weather factor

The Election Commission expects the announcement of the full results of Sarawak's state election tomorrow to be delayed due to the uncertain weather.

It's chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hashim Abdullah said that originally it expected all the results to be in by 11pm, but this might change.

"Yes we were looking at the early results to be in by 6pm and the last by 11pm, but we have to also consider the weather factor.

We must follow the motto better late but safe. Whatever time the result comes in is okay. Hope the people understand," he told a media conference after visiting the vote tallying centre for the Batu Lintang seat at Dewan Masyarakat Kuching here.

He said this when asked to comment on whether the helicopter tragedy in Sarawak yesterday would affect the commission's operations.

The ill-fated helicopter was on flight from Betong to Kuching when it vanished from radar screens at 4.12pm yesterday.

The helicopter was carrying six people, among them Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Noriah Kasnon, her husband Asmuni Abdullah and Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad.

Also on board were Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Sundaran Annamalai, Noriah's bodyguard Ahmad Sobri Harun and Filipino pilot Rudolf Rex Ragas.

Pieces of the helicopter were found near the Batang Lupar river in Sebuyau around 9am today. At noon rescuers retrieved the body of a woman where the debris were found.

Mohd Hashim said he would ensure that his staff did not rush to bring the ballot boxes to the tallying centres because their safety was paramount.

"Some 21,000 EC workers have been mobilised to ensure polling goes smoothly, and helicopters are our main means of transport where polling centres in remote areas is concerned.

I have told them what is important is plenty of prayers and go about their duties as normal," he said, adding that they were all prepared for the task ahead.

The weather forecast for polling day is mostly overcast skies in the morning and rain in the afternoon, especially in the divisions of Betong, Sarikei, Mukah and Bintulu.

Mohd Hashim said to ensure the polling process goes smoothly tomorrow, the commission would be using 38 helicopters, besides 663 sampans and 64 speed boats.

The updated electoral roll for Sarawak has 1,085,087 registered voters. There will be 1,754 polling centres with 2,789 voting streams.

A total of 227 candidates are vying for 80 seats. Two seats were won uncontested by Barisan Nasional candidates on nomination day on April 25.