Hashim (left) at the press conference. With him is state EC director Datu Takun Sunggah.
KUCHING: There is no malice or any element of foul play when it comes to the high number of advance voters registered for the coming 11th state election.
Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hashim Abdullah assured all parties that thorough checks had been made on the eligibility of all 25,042 early voters, comprising members of the armed forces, police and the General Operations Force (GOF) together with their spouses.
He also advised the public against making baseless allegations, explaining further that advance voters referred to any of those stationed across the state and possessing valid Sarawak address on their identification card.
According to Hashim, the movement of early voters are constantly monitored by the EC for updates.
“EC monitors those classified as early voters thoroughly. Please avoid creating negative perception on the number of these voters. Basically, they are Sarawakians who serve in the military and police forces who are posted here,” he said in a press conference held here yesterday to announce the schedule of tomorrow’s nomination process for the coming state election.
Hashim’s remarks were made in response to a widespread perception among members of the public that advance voters would include non-Sarawakians. Concerns had been raised by many quarters, in that they considered advance voters as those casting ‘sure votes’ for the ruling government.
For this election, the constituencies with the highest number of advance voters are Stakan with 7,059, followed by Kota Sentosa (3,167), Nangka (3,045), Batu Kawah (1,242), Bukit Begunan (1,075) and Mambong (996).
On a different note, Hashim said EC had issued 1,146 media passes for news agencies from around the nation.
“This goes to show that we prioritise local media,” he said.