EC extends polling time for GE15

The Election Commission (EC) has extended the voting time for the 15th general election (GE15) by one hour.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the voting time for Peninsular Malaysia will be from 8am to 6pm, and 7.30am to 5.30pm for Sabah and Sarawak.

"The extension of the period will give voters enough time to cast their ballots," he said in a written reply posted on the Parliament website today.

He was responding to a question from Mukhriz Mahathir (Pejuang-Jerlun) on the measures taken by the EC to ensure a higher turnout and transparency in the voting process in GE15 and beyond.

According to Wan Junaidi, the EC has also increased the number of voting centres and channels in anticipation of a larger turnout, following the implementation of Undi 18 or the lowering of the minimum voting age to 18, and automatic voter registration.

He said the improvement measures were to ensure that elections could be conducted in a more efficient, fair and transparent manner.