Melaka Election: EC Hopes for 70 Per Cent Turnout, Urges Voters to Come Early Despite Rain Forecast

MERLIMAU, November 13, 2026 – The Election Commission (EC) is hoping for a voter turnout of about 70 per cent in tomorrow’s 16th Melaka State Election and has urged voters not to let the possibility of rain keep them away from the polls.

EC deputy chairman Dr Azmi Sharom said the target was a reasonable one because the polls involved the whole state rather than a single constituency. He was speaking to reporters after inspecting final logistics and election material preparations at the Politeknik Merlimau hall in Jasin today, Astro Awani reported.

“We hope for 70 per cent. That is usually how it goes. Moreover, this is a state election, not a by-election. So we hope the people are interested in coming out to vote,” he said, according to Astro Awani. “Hopefully as many as possible, but we usually feel that 70 per cent is a good figure.”

Come early, bring an umbrella

Azmi advised voters to head to their polling centres early in view of the forecast of possible rain on polling day, Saturday, November 14, 2026.

“If possible, come early, but if it rains, bring an umbrella. It is not that difficult. Come and vote even if it rains. Whatever happens, come and vote,” he said, as quoted by Astro Awani. Utusan Malaysia carried similar remarks, quoting him as saying that coming out to vote was “the most important thing”.

He said the preparation of ballot boxes and election materials was being finalised to ensure that election workers could carry out their duties smoothly on polling day. Election workers had also been briefed and introduced to the police personnel who will escort them and assist their movements.

Campaigning must stop at 11.59 pm

Azmi reminded all candidates, supporters and party machinery to stop all campaign activities at exactly 11.59 pm tonight, including on social media platforms.

“Please stop campaigning by midnight. Enough campaigning. People have already heard what you have to say,” he said, according to The Star. “That includes online campaigning. Be patient until the election is over. Whether you want to celebrate or cry, do it after the election.”

Results expected around midnight

Asked when the full results could be known, Azmi said it was difficult to give an exact time because ballot boxes must first reach their respective official vote-tallying centres, The Star reported. He said unforeseen circumstances, including heavy rain or flooding, could affect the process, but that the full results could be available around midnight, although the timing could not be guaranteed.

Real-time turnout data

The New Straits Times reported that Azmi said the EC would continue to use its Optical Character Recognition-Voter Attendance (OCR-VA) system to collect and display voter attendance data in real time on the EC website.

“Previously, voter turnout figures were updated hourly, but this system allows the information to be accessed in real time,” he was quoted as saying. He added that the system would not have a significant impact on the time taken to vote and would not compromise the secrecy of the ballot.

Azmi also reminded voters to check their polling centres and voting streams through the MySPR service before leaving home, the New Straits Times reported. Voters without internet access can check their details at counters provided at polling centres.

79 candidates for 28 seats

A total of 240 polling centres with 1,213 polling streams will open tomorrow. Seventy-nine candidates are contesting the 28 seats in the Melaka State Legislative Assembly.

Pakatan Harapan (PH) is contesting 24 seats, followed by Barisan Nasional (BN) with 23, Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) with 16, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) with seven and Perikatan Nasional (PN) with five, while three candidates are standing as independents and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) is fielding one, according to Astro Awani.

Life News Agency compiled this report from Astro Awani, The Star, the New Straits Times and Utusan Malaysia.

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