Voting Gear Flown, Boated To Interior Polling Centres Ahead Of Sabah Election

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- As Sabah prepares for the 17th state election tomorrow, the Election Commission (EC) has deployed boats and helicopters to deliver voting equipment to remote polling centres.

Bernama observed EC officers working closely with Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) personnel to ensure smooth operations across several districts.

In Tuaran, staff arranged and checked voting materials at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Mengkabong, one of the polling centres. In Penampang, officers and police personnel used a helicopter from the Penampang Municipal Council field to deliver equipment to interior centres, including SK Terian, SK Buayan and SK Longkogungan.

In Semporna, election manager Mas Syazwan Masood escorted ballot boxes by boat to SK Pulau Denawan, serving the Sulabayan state seat, and SK Pulau Mabul, covering the Senallang state seat.

In Sandakan, polling centre head Suhaili @ Suhaile Pani led deliveries via three boats to Pulau Pamaguan, with final preparations underway for constituencies under Libaran, Gum-Gum, Sungai Manila and Sungai Sibuga.

Election officer Imran Jagong @ Osman said distribution began this morning, including ballot papers, electoral rolls, indelible ink and related documents, which were sealed and stored at the Sandakan district police headquarters.

At Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Yuk Chin in Tawau, a counting centre for Merotai, Tanjung Batu, Kukusan and Sebatik state seats, more than 80 staff checked equipment to ensure readiness.

Tawau police chief ACP Jasmin Hussin said 436 officers would be deployed at polling and counting centres to maintain security and advise voters to follow election rules.

All 882 polling centres statewide, with 3,558 voting streams, will open simultaneously at 7.30 am tomorrow and close in stages between 12 noon and 5.30 pm.

The EC has appointed 25 election managers, assisted by 196 assistant election managers, to oversee polling, with an estimated allocation of RM116.8 million.

For the latest on the 17th Sabah state election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/sabah/index.php.

-- BERNAMA