Over 8,500 postal ballots distributed for Melaka election, EC reminds voters on secrecy rules

EC secretary Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus said 8,041 of the postal ballot papers were issued to election officials, EC members and officers, police and military personnel, and media practitioners who had applied under Category 1A. — Picture by Hari Anggara

First Published: Tuesday, 03 Nov 2026 8:48 AM MYT

MELAKA, Nov 3 — The Election Commission (EC) yesterday issued 8,569 postal ballot papers to eligible voters for the 16th Melaka State Election.

EC secretary Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus said 8,041 of the postal ballot papers were issued to election officials, EC members and officers, police and military personnel, and media practitioners who had applied under Category 1A.

He said another 433 postal ballot papers were issued to Malaysians residing abroad under Category 1B, while 95 were issued under Category 1C to officials from agencies or organisations approved by the EC who were unable to vote on polling day due to official duties.

The postal ballot papers were issued in the presence of representatives of all contesting candidates, he said in a statement yesterday. 

Khairul Shahril reminded postal voters to mark their ballot papers and complete the Identity Declaration Form (Form 2) correctly before returning them to their respective constituency returning officers by 5 pm on polling day, Nov 14.

He also reminded voters to keep their votes confidential by not taking photographs of their postal ballot papers or sharing them on social media.

Polling day is set for Nov 14, while early voting will take place on Nov 10.

For the latest updates on the 16th Melaka state election, visit https://election.bernama.com/prn/melaka/2026/. — Bernama