Pollsters predict a crushing BN victory in Johor as opponents are fragmented

 

EARLY morning polling for the 16th Johor state election has kicked off with a 7.97% voter turnout as of 9am. The Election Commission (EC) reported that 213,878 voters have already headed to the ballot boxes to decide the future of the state government.

A total of 1,076 polling centres and 4,889 voting streams opened simultaneously at 8am today, allowing citizens to decide the mandate for all 56 state seats.

Voting started under generally favourable weather conditions, with clear skies reported in most areas except for Muar, which experienced heavy rain from the early hours.

A Bernama check at several polling centres found EC officials, security personnel and media practitioners on site as early as 7am.

Independent pollsters Ilham Centre and Merdeka Centre have shared highly aligned projections ahead of polling day, forecasting a dominant victory for Barisan Nasional (BN) in a direct clash against Pakatan Harapan (PH).

Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional (PN) analysts expect Perikatan Nasional (PN) to experience to face a sharp decline.

Both think tanks firmly place BN as the supermajority frontrunner, comfortably on track to secure a two-thirds majority of at least 38 to 40 seats.

Analysts attribute BN’s momentum to strong local governance and the immense popularity of incumbent Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, whose hands-on leadership gives the coalition a massive incumbency advantage.

PH is projected to finish as the largest opposition bloc, though a repeat of past heights remains unlikely.

Merdeka Centre notes that PH’s survival hinges on voter turnout, particularly among Chinese and out-of-state voters.

If Chinese turnout hits 65%, PH could wrest several mixed-demographic seats from BN, aided by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s heavy last-minute campaigning.

In contrast, heavy losses are predicted for PN, which may fail to hold its previous three seats.

Analysts blame internal infighting, specifically PAS cutting ties with Bersatu mid-campaign, which crippled ground machinery despite aggressive digital outreach to youth. —  Focus Malaysia