EC going all out to ensure smooth polling in Sabah

Friday, April 12, 2013 | Last updated at 13:17 PM

KOTA KINABALU: The Election Commission (EC) in Sabah is working round the clock in ensuring the 13th General Election runs smoothly in the state as well as the Federal Territory of Labuan.

Its deputy director (operations), Abdul Manap Ali Omar, said the commission's staff and logistics were ready for nomination day, early polling and the normal casting of ballots.

"Our director (Datuk Md Idrus Ismail) and EC deputy chairman Datuk Wan Ahmad Wan Omar have also gone to Lahad Datu today to inspect the safety and feasibility of conducting polling in the area," he said yesterday after handing over writs to returning officers for 25 parliamentary seats in Sabah and one in Labuan.

Abdul said there were 1,006,288 registered voters in Sabah and Labuan.

He denied there were any complaints or problems encountered by 120 postal voters.

There will be 1,928 voting stations on polling day, and 46 early polling stations. A total of 86 helicopters and 55 boats will be deployed.

"We will liaise with the returning officers to arrange transport according to geographical factors.

"As for other necessities, such as ballot boxes, stationary, vests for officers-in-charge, these were already sent and secured at the polling stations," he added.

The state EC said as of yesterday, 188 nomination forms were bought for parliamentary seats and 433 for state seats. Independent candidates bought 164 forms, followed by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (123), State Reform Party Sabah ( 86), Sabah Progressive Party (80), Liberal Democratic Party (40), Parti Bersatu Sabah (32), Pas (25), DAP (23), United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (20), Umno (10), Kita (8), MCA (7), Malaysia United People's Party (2) and Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah (1).

Returning officers examining the writs that were handed to them by the Election Commission yesterday. Pic by Zunnur Al Shafiq

Olivia Miwil

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