KUALA LUMPUR – A total of 603 election-related offences have been recorded in Sabah so far, according to Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun.
“Of these, 81 have been reported to the police, while five have been formally lodged with the commission,” he said.
Ramlan explained that most of the offences involved minor campaign violations, such as the display of inappropriate posters, which have been promptly addressed. He made these remarks during a visit to the SK Kawang polling centre near Papar, as reported by Borneo Post.
Polling has proceeded without major issues, with all 882 centres opening on time this morning. At 11am, voter turnout stood at 31.3%, slightly lower than the 32% recorded during the previous general election.
Ramlan expressed optimism that voter participation would rise in the afternoon as weather conditions improved. “Some areas experienced light rain, but it doesn’t seem to be deterring voters,” he said.
“We expect the overall turnout to reach around 60% by the end of the day, which is in line with previous elections.”
To ensure transparency during the counting process, the commission has implemented measures for votes to be tallied at polling stations under the supervision of party agents. No result will be finalised until all agents have signed off.
For remote and island constituencies, helicopters have been deployed to deliver ballot boxes, ensuring polling stations close on time at noon.
Most centres are located near residential areas, typically serving fewer than 100 voters each. Preliminary results are expected by 10pm, with the full count likely to be completed by midnight, barring any unexpected delays. – November 29, 2025