Early voting for the 16th Melaka state election ended on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, with a turnout of 94.96 per cent, according to The Star. A total of 9,417 security personnel and their spouses cast their ballots at the early polling centres across the state, giving the first real indication of voter participation ahead of the main polling day on 14 November.
The Election Commission had set an ambitious target of 95 per cent turnout for the early voting segment. EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said 6,042 early voters had voted as of 11am, while the turnout stood at 94.75 per cent, or 9,396 voters, as of 4pm. He told reporters after observing the process at SMK Kem Terendak that early voting was being held at 31 polling centres with 50 polling streams. Nineteen centres were scheduled to close at noon, three at 2pm and the remaining nine at 5pm.
Reports from the ground said the process proceeded smoothly, with many police and military personnel taking advantage of clear weather in the morning to arrive early. That was notable given that several parts of Selangor were hit by floods during the northeast monsoon, a reminder that weather remains a factor for the final polling day as well.
Political parties used the early voting day to send messages to this important group of voters. Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim urged armed forces and police personnel to back Harapan candidates, while Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wished early voters a smooth process. Melaka Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ab Rauf Yusoh had earlier described early voting as a benchmark of public confidence in the state administration. The Melaka PH chairman also asked early voters to support the federal government's economic record.
With early voting complete, attention now shifts to the final days of campaigning, which ends at 11.59pm on 13 November. The EC has fixed 14 November as polling day for the 28 state seats. Ballots from early voting are normally counted together with the main results, so political observers will be watching closely when the official results are announced.
News sources (nofollow): The Star: Early voting records 94.96% turnout | The Star: EC eyes 95% early voting turnout | Bernama
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