37.67% voter turnout in Melaka polls as of 12pm

Voter turnout in the Melaka state election stood at 17.96%, with 120,162 votes cast as of 10am, according to the Election Commission.

This is higher than the 17% turnout recorded at the same time during the previous state election in November 2021.

The EC said Taboh Naning registered the highest voter turnout at 19.97%, followed by Serkam (19.94%) and Tanjong Bidara (19.92%).

The lowest turnouts were recorded in Kesidang (15.27%), Bandar Hilir (16%) and Sungai Udang (16.39%).

The final turnout in the 2021 state polls was 65.85%.

Polling centres across all 28 state constituencies are scheduled to close at 5pm.

A total of 669,211 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in this election, which was called following the dissolution of the state legislative assembly on Sept 23.

The outgoing state government was formed by Barisan Nasional after the 2021 election, with the coalition controlling 21 of 28 seats as Sulaiman Ali obtained a second term as chief minister.

However, an internal power struggle resulted in Sulaiman resigning and Melaka Umno chief Ab Rauf Yusoh taking over the top post and roping Pakatan Harapan into his administration in April 2023.

In July, PH withdrew from all positions in the state government amid rising tensions with BN, and in protest over the passage of a constitutional amendment allowing the appointment of up to seven unelected assemblymen.

In this state election, BN is contesting 23 of the 28 seats up for grabs under an alliance with Perikatan Nasional, which is vying for five.

Pakatan Harapan is contesting 24 seats while working with Bersatu, which has fielded seven candidates.