PUTRAJAYA: With two days before Melaka heads for the ballot boxes, all systems are fully ready and in place to ensure the smooth running of the state polls, says the Election Commission (EC).

       It said it would make full use of the last few days to tie up a few loose ends and sort out a few matters before Nomination Day on Monday, which is crunch time for political parties to name their candidates.

       According to the EC, all 28 of its nomination centres and its official vote tallying centres have made the necessary preparations.

       Tomorrow, there will be one final dry run for Nomination Day.

       “Everything is in order for the Melaka state polls.

       “The EC is fully ready to carry out its responsibilities to manage the election,” it said.

       However, when asked about the standard operating procedure, the EC did not respond.

       Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, however, had earlier said that any election-related gatherings or social activities will not be allowed, including the organisation of election machinery launching ceremonies.

       The ban takes effect from Oct 25 until Nov 27.

       A total of 12,290 officers have been appointed to manage the Melaka state election process, with 217 polling centres and 1,109 polling streams to be opened.

       Voters will be scrutinising the candidates to be fielded in their constituencies.

       The parties have until Sunday to release their candidate lists.

       Barisan Nasional is to announce its candidates today at 10am. The announcement is expected to be made by Umno deputy-president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, who is the party’s Melaka election director.

       Umno president and Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is in Germany for medical treatment.

       It is understood that Perikatan Nasional was also expected to name its candidates yesterday but no details had been issued by the coalition as at press time.

       DAP named its candidates yesterday, and it will be contesting in eight seats under the Pakatan Harapan logo.

       During the press conference announcing its candidates, it introduced two new faces for the Melaka state election on Nov 20, in addition to retaining six incumbents.

       The two new faces are Muhamad Danish Zainudin, 25, who would be fielded in the Pengkalan Batu seat while Leng Chau Yen, 37, will contest the Bandar Hilir seat.

       PKR, which will contest 11 seats, and Amanah, which will contest nine seats, have not made it known when they will unveil their candidate lists.