MELAKA: The Election Commission (EC) has issued 7,601 postal ballot papers to individuals who are eligible to vote by post for the Melaka state election.

       EC secretary Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak said the issuance of the postal ballot papers was done by election officers in all 28 state assembly constituencies.

       He said 6,871 postal ballot papers were in Category Form 1A meant for election officers, EC members or officers, police personnel, military personnel and media personnel.

       “Another 511 in Category Form 1B for Malaysian citizens abroad, 113 in Category Form 1C for nine agencies in the security and health sector and 106 absentee voters abroad,'' he said in a statement on Wednesday (Nov 11).

       The process of issuing the postal ballot papers was carried out in the presence of candidate representatives from all parties or individuals who are contesting in the state polls, he added.

       “The EC reminds all postal voters to mark their vote on the ballot paper, complete and correctly fill in the identity declaration form (Form 2).

       “The form must then be immediately sent back to each state constituency's officer in charge by 5pm on polling day, which is Nov 20,'' he said.

       Ikmalrudin also reminded voters to always maintain the secrecy of their votes by not taking pictures of the postal ballot papers and disseminating them on social media.