401 polling stations open as Negeri Sembilan polls get under way

There are 889,490 registered voters for the Negeri Sembilan election, which was called after the dissolution of the state legislative assembly on June 5.PETALING JAYA: The voter turnout in the Negeri Sembilan state election stood at 28.11% as of 11am, according to the Election Commission.This is slightly higher than the 27.13% turnout recorded at the same hour during the state election in August 2023.The EC said Chennah had the highest voter turnout at 34.3%, followed by Klawang (33.3%) and Seri Menanti (32.4%), while the lowest were Lukut (24.4%), Bahau (24.8%) and Lobak (24.8%).Polling centres across all 36 state constituencies are scheduled to close at 6pm.The final turnout in the 2023 state polls was 68.35%.There are 889,490 registered voters on the electoral roll for this election, which was called following the dissolution of the state legislative assembly on June 5.The snap election was held more than two years before the assembly’s term was due to expire, following a political crisis involving the state’s royal institution and the withdrawal of support for menteri besar Aminuddin Harun by all 14 Umno assemblymen.Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional, which had an electoral pact prior to the 2023 election, then formed the state government having collectively won 31 of the assembly’s 36 seats.In this election, PH is contesting all 36 seats on its own.BN is contesting 25 seats under an electoral pact with PAS-led Perikatan Nasional, which is contesting the remaining 11 seats without any overlap.Bersatu, although still a PN component party, is separately fielding 24 candidates under its own logo. Early voters wait for a polling station to open in the Negeri Sembilan state election.PETALING JAYA: Voting for the Negeri Sembilan state election has begun with the opening of 401 polling centres throughout the state at 8am.The voting is scheduled to continue until 6pm. The preliminary results are expected by 10pm, and the full results before midnight, according to the Election Commission.A total of 859,760 registered voters, including 7,391 postal voters, are eligible to cast their ballots in the contest for the 36 state seats.The EC is targeting a voter turnout of between 72% and 75%.

A total of 14,995 early voters, or 91.06%, cast their ballots on July 28, surpassing the EC’s target of 90%.The 16th Negeri Sembilan state election features 103 candidates, with Pakatan Harapan contesting all 36 seats, followed by Barisan Nasional (25), Bersatu (24), Perikatan Nasional (11) and four independent candidates.Berjasa, Parti Orang Asli Malaysia, and Parti Sosialis Malaysia are fielding one candidate each.BN-PN has an election pact to prevent overlapping seat contests, avoid vote splitting, and consolidate Malay support.The weather conditions at several locations are generally fine this morning. According to the Malaysian meteorological department (MetMalaysia), most areas in the seven districts of Seremban, Jempol, Jelebu, Kuala Pilah, Tampin, Port Dickson and Rembau are expected to remain clear until noon, Bernama reported.However, heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast in most parts of the state in the afternoon.