More than 7,000 registered voters with disabilities (OKU) have cast their ballots in the 16th Melaka state election as overall turnout reached 31.07%.
MELAKA: More than 7,000 registered voters with disabilities (OKU) have cast their ballots in the 16th Melaka state election, in what the Election Commission (EC) described as encouraging participation.
EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said the figure was recorded as of this morning, while overall voter turnout stood at 31.07%.
“Based on the information available to us, more than 7,000 registered OKU voters have already cast their ballots. This is a very positive development.
“The voter turnout currently stands at 31.07%, which is encouraging. However, I urge voters to come out early to cast their ballots, as rain is forecast for the afternoon,” he said at a press conference after visiting the polling centre at SJK(C) Malim here today.
He said 240 polling centres across all 28 state constituencies had opened at 8am and would close at 6pm.
Ramlan also expressed confidence that voter turnout could reach between 70% and 75%, with at least 70% expected.
“I remain confident that we can achieve between 70% and 75%. We should be able to reach at least 70% this time,” he said.
He added that women were recording a higher turnout than men, with female voter participation standing at 31%.
Ramlan said the first election results were expected to be announced by 9.30pm, while the full results were expected before midnight.
