KUCHING: A total of 17,885 ballot papers for postal votes have been issued for all the 82 state constituencies in the Sarawak state election, says Datuk Ikmalrudin Ishak.

       The Election Commission (EC) secretary said the ballot papers are for 16,728 voters in the 1A application form category meant for election workers, EC staff and officers, police, armed forces and media personnel.

       “The EC has also issued 365 postal vote ballot papers for those under the 1B category for Malaysians who are overseas,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       He added that there are 679 ballot papers for the 1C category involving nine agencies in the security and health sector and 113 postal ballot papers for absentee voters.

       “The process of issuing the postal vote ballot papers was done in the presence of representatives from all contesting parties and individuals,” he said.

       Ikmalrudin said that postal voters are reminded to mark their ballot papers and complete their declaration forms, adding that they would have to reach the respective Returning Officers by 5pm on Dec 18.

       “Voters are reminded to ensure the secrecy of their vote and not to take photographs of their ballot papers and post them on social media,” he said.