The 11th Sarawak state election on Saturday saw 70.01 percent or 777,018 voters exercising their right and responsibility, according to the Election Commission (EC).

EC chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hashim Abdullah said the number included postal and early voters.

"Many factors contributed to the turnout including voters who were on leave. The number was lesser in the towns," he told a media conference at the EC office here last night.

A total of 1,109,795 voters were eligible to cast their ballots in 80 state constituencies.

For the record, the voter turnout in the 10th state election in 2011 was 70 percent.

Mohd Hashim said overall, EC was satisfied with the voting process which went on smoothly.

He said EC adhered to stipulated laws and regulations in conducting the election and did its utmost to make the 11th state election the best it had ever conducted.

"EC will study the shortcomings and improve on them," he said.

The state election saw BN winning 72 seats including two seats, Bukit Sari and Bukit Kota, which were won unopposed on nomination day.

DAP won seven seats while PKR, three.