Johor polls: 2.7 mil voters ready to decide state's future

 

EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun inspects ballot box preparations ahead of the 16th Johor election. — Source: Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya Malaysia Facebook

JOHOR BARU: More than 2.7 million registered voters, including a significant number of first-time voters, will determine Johor's future as preparations for the 16th Johor election enter the final stage.

The Election Commission (EC) has intensified its final checks on ballot boxes and election equipment ahead of polling day, with EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun leading inspection visits at several locations in Pontian and Kukup.

Accompanied by EC members and senior management, Ramlan inspected ballot boxes at Dewan Jubli Intan in Pontian and Dewan Serbaguna Permas in Kukup.

EC deputy chairman Dr Azmi Sharom also carried out similar inspections at SMK Bandar Dato' Onn and the Majlis Bandaraya Iskandar Puteri (MBIP).

The inspections are part of the EC's final preparations to ensure all election materials, including ballot boxes, are ready for use across Johor's 56 state constituencies.

The Johor election will see a diverse electorate, with young voters expected to play a crucial role in determining the outcome.

Based on the latest electoral roll, Johor has about 2.73 million registered voters, including approximately 544,657 aged between 21 and 29, representing nearly 20 per cent of the electorate.

A large proportion of this group comprises young voters who gained voting rights under the Undi18 policy, which automatically lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.

The younger electorate is expected to be closely watched by political parties, as many are first-time voters with no previous voting history and may be less tied to traditional party loyalties.

Political observers have said young voters are likely to be influenced by local issues, candidate visibility, employment opportunities, cost of living pressures and social media narratives.

The EC has set polling day for tomorrow (July 11), with early voting having been completed on July 7.

The 16th Johor election will see 172 candidates contesting 56 state seats, with voters deciding the composition of the next Johor government.

With campaigning ending at 11.59pm tonight, all eyes will now turn to voter turnout as parties make their final push to mobilise supporters ahead of polling day. - NST