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THE Election Commission (EC) on Monday began issuing postal ballots for the 17th Sabah State Election, marking the start of a crucial phase in ensuring that eligible voters who cannot attend polling stations are able to cast their ballots.
According to the EC, the process entails the preparation, verification and arrangement of ballot papers before they are dispatched to qualifying postal voters. The system covers three categories under existing regulations: Category 1A (Domestic), Category 1B (Overseas) and Category 1C (Agencies/Organisations).
Category 1A includes SPR officers, election workers, police and military personnel who are unable to be present either on early voting day or on polling day, as well as accredited media personnel assigned to cover the election.
Category 1B is reserved for Malaysian voters residing abroad, while Category 1C applies to staff from various government agencies who are on duty and unable to vote in person.
Those eligible under Category 1C include members of the Royal Malaysia Police Volunteer Reserve (PVR), the Fire and Rescue Department, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (APMM), the Malaysian Prisons Department, the Ministry of Health, the Immigration Department (JIM), the Civil Defence Force (APM), the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), National Registration Department officers stationed at Urban Transformation Centres, and employees of Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB).
The EC has fixed 29 November as polling day for the 17th Sabah State Election, with early voting scheduled for 25 November. - November 17, 2025