Voters in Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan headed to the polls on Saturday, the second election in the past month as political allies governing the country locked horns at state levels.
Candidates from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition are going head-to-head with those of federal partner Barisan Nasional (BN), which trounced its rival in last month’s Johor race.
Voter turnout is at 8.29 per cent as of 9am, according to the Election Commission.
The commission is targeting a voter turnout of between 72 and 75 per cent. In the 2023 polls, final voter turnout was at 68.35 per cent.
The target is higher this year as some 20,000 new voters are eligible to cast their ballots the first time – coupled with intense campaigning from contesting parties.
Negeri Sembilan has traditionally been a stronghold for PH, which won 17 seats in 2023 while BN secured 14, allowing the two coalitions to form the state government with a combined 31-seat majority.
The opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) won the remaining five seats.