17.96% voter turnout in Melaka polls as of 10am

As of 10am on election day, the voter turnout in the Melaka state election was reported at 17.96%, with 120,162 votes cast, according to the Election Commission. This figure represents an increase from the 17% turnout during the previous state election in November 2021. Taboh Naning emerged as the constituency with the highest voter participation at 19.97%, closely followed by Serkam (19.94%) and Tanjong Bidara (19.92%).

Conversely, Kesidang, Bandar Hilir, and Sungai Udang recorded the lowest voter turnout percentages, at 15.27%, 16%, and 16.39%, respectively. The final voter turnout in the 2021 state polls was notably higher at 65.85%. The voting process is set to conclude at 5pm across polling centers in all 28 state constituencies. A total of 669,211 registered voters are eligible to participate in this election, which was triggered by the dissolution of the state legislative assembly on September 23.

The previous administration, formed by Barisan Nasional after the 2021 election, saw Sulaiman Ali retain his position as chief minister after a coalition victory. However, internal disputes led to Sulaiman's resignation, and Ab Rauf Yusoh, then the Melaka Umno chief, assumed the chief minister role, forming a coalition with Pakatan Harapan in April 2023.

Tensions between the two parties escalated in July, resulting in Pakatan Harapan's withdrawal from the government following a constitutional amendment that permitted the appointment of up to seven unelected assemblymen. In the current election, the Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional alliance is contesting 23 out of the 28 seats, while Pakatan Harapan is contesting 24, with the support of Bersatu, which has nominated seven candidates.