JOHOR BAHRU: A total of 18,625 or 87 per cent of early voters cast their ballots in the Johor state election today.

Election Commission (EC) secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak said they comprised military, police, and General Operation Force personnel and their spouses.

"The EC would like to congratulate all returning officers and election workers for the job well done today," he said in a statement.

He also expressed gratitude to the Royal Malaysia Police, Armed Forces, Health Ministry, National Security Council, local authorities, media practitioners, and all quarters involved for their cooperation and support given to the EC throughout the early voting process.

Polling is set for Saturday.


In a separate statement, state police media spokesman for the Johor polls, Supt Ibrahim Mat Som, said 9,775 people or 84.3 per cent of the 11,576 police family members registered for early voting cast their ballots in the state.

He said the voter turnout was not 100 per cent because some personnel were under quarantine after contracting COVID-19.

"Some others also could not vote as they have been transferred to other contingents, have retired, died and for other unavoidable reasons," he said, adding that voting proceeded smoothly.

-- BERNAMA