Melaka Goes to Polls With 79 Candidates for 28 Seats

Voters head to the polls in the 16th Melaka state election on Saturday (Nov 14), after Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said all candidates had to end campaigning, including on social media, by 11.59pm on Friday (Nov 13).

A total of 79 candidates are vying for the 28 seats in the State Legislative Assembly, following nominations on Oct 31.

Melaka State Election by the Numbers

According to the Election Commission (EC), as reported by The Malaysian Reserve, 675,166 ordinary voters are eligible to vote. Some 240 polling stations with 1,213 polling streams will operate across the state, with voting from 8am to 6pm. The Edge reported that turnout is expected to reach 70 per cent.

Bernama reported that Pakatan Harapan (PH) is fielding the most candidates, contesting 24 seats, followed by Barisan Nasional (23), Parti Bersama Malaysia (16), Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (seven), Perikatan Nasional (five) and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (one). Three independents are also in the race.

EC chairman Ramlan Harun had said earlier that the contests comprise 11 straight fights, 11 three-cornered fights and six four-cornered fights, the South China Morning Post reported.

No Campaigning on Polling Day

Fahmi, speaking at his weekly press conference in Putrajaya on Friday, said the EC reminder meant no new posts or content that could be seen as campaigning should appear on candidates’ social media accounts from midnight through polling day.

He said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) would keep monitoring for any breach of the law, including online. He also urged the public to follow the EC’s official social media accounts and verified mainstream media for updates.

Police Open 25 Investigation Papers

Separately, Melaka police spokesperson Supt Muhammad Zaki Ramat told Bernama that police had received 34 reports linked to the election and opened 25 investigation papers between nomination day and Nov 12. Of these, 23 had been referred to the relevant offices, while two were still under investigation.

He said 10 of the papers were opened under Section 427 of the Penal Code and four under Section 10 of the Election Offences Act 1954, with others under the Penal Code, the Sedition Act and the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

Muhammad Zaki urged voters to respect one another despite differing political views, and called on candidates and supporters to accept the results “with an open heart”.

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