MELAKA: Thorough planning was made in the setting up of the seven early polling centres to cater for military personnel and their spouses in the Melaka state election to ensure they comply with standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the authorities, said Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, Maj Gen Datuk Tengku Muhammad Fauzi Tengku Ibrahim ( pic).

       He said the planning process involved the armed forces, as well as the Election Commission, Health Ministry and the police to ensure the smooth running of the early voting on Tuesday (Nov 16).

       "I assure you that what is implemented today is safe because the process in ensuring compliance with the SOP in strictly implemented.

       "Temperature check is required for all voters and for those who are found or suspected of having symptoms, a special place is provided for them to cast their votes. Physical distancing is also observed,” he told reporters after casting his vote at the polling centre at SK Kem Terendak 2 here.

       Tengku Muhammad Fauzi said the early voting process among army personnel was implemented in phases with only a few voters allowed inside the polling centre at one time.

       Meanwhile, based on Bernama's observation, the early voting process here went smoothly and no voters have been detected with symptoms as at 10am.

       Early voting for the Melaka state election started at 8am today, with a total of 11,557 policemen and army personnel, as well as their spouses, expected to exercise their right.

       The Melaka state election called following the dissolution of the State Assembly on Oct 4 after four State Assemblymen withdrew support for Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.

       The EC has set the polling day on Nov 20.

       A total of 112 candidates are contesting for the 28 state seats in Melaka, comprising 28 candidates each from Barisan Nasional (BN), Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH), while Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) is fielding five candidates and Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional (IMAN), with one candidate.

       Twenty-two candidates are contesting as Independent candidates. - Bernama