Credit : Bernama's X
MELAKA, November 11, 2026 – Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has advised voters in the 16th Melaka state election to cast their ballots early on Saturday morning, so that rain associated with the Northeast Monsoon does not disrupt polling later in the day.
Bernama reported on X late on Wednesday that Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, said the step was important to keep polling running smoothly and to help achieve a high turnout. Its full report was published at bernama.com.
“I hope that, as projected by the Election Commission (SPR), the turnout this time will be higher, even though this is the Northeast Monsoon season and rain may occur,” he said.
“I hope people will follow the weather forecast so that we go out at times when there is no rain, and if possible go out in the morning so that if it rains at midday or in the afternoon, the voting process will already have been carried out properly,” he said.
Bernama reported that Zahid was speaking to reporters after a dinner with BN campaign workers for the Sungai Udang state constituency. He said voters should stay alert to the latest information and forecasts from the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), so they could plan their journey to the polling centre in an orderly way.
Saturday, November 14, is polling day for the election. The official campaign period ends at 11.59 pm on Friday, November 13, under the timetable set by the SPR after nomination day on October 31, as the commission announced and as Life News Agency has previously reported.
On early voting day, Tuesday, November 10, 94.96 per cent of those eligible to vote in person — 9,417 out of 9,917, comprising military personnel and their spouses as well as police personnel — had cast their ballots, Bernama reported, close to the 95 per cent target projected by the SPR. Life News Agency earlier reported the same official turnout figure.
A total of 687,697 voters are eligible to take part in this Melaka election, according to the SPR figures cited by Bernama. The Northeast Monsoon typically brings heavier rain in the afternoon in parts of the peninsula, which is the weather risk Zahid asked voters to take into account.
Early voting on November 10 was limited to members of the security forces and their eligible spouses, at 31 early polling centres across the state, as Bernama reported on the day. Ordinary voters go to the polls on Saturday, November 14, when polling stations are due to open in the morning under the SPR timetable. Zahid’s appeal is therefore directed at the much larger group of voters who have not yet voted, in a contest for all 28 seats in the Melaka State Legislative Assembly, which was dissolved in September.
The photograph issued with Bernama’s report shows Zahid addressing a special meeting of BN machinery for the Tangga Batu parliamentary seat, with campaign workers in party colours in the hall. Bernama’s text attributes Wednesday night’s remarks to the Sungai Udang dinner.
Source: Bernama on X and bernama.com.
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