KLUANG, July 7 — The Election Commission (EC) has received 588 complaints involving various election offences during the campaign period for the 16th Johor State Election, as of today.

EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said that, of the total, 44 police reports had been lodged.

“In addition, three reports have also been lodged with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) over related offences,” he told a press conference at Dewan Mahkota, Kem Mahkota, here today.

Earlier, Ramlan, accompanied by Army Chief General Tan Sri Azhan Md Othman, monitored the smooth conduct of the polling process at several early voting centres, including the Kluang District Police Headquarters and Kem Mahkota.

The early voting process involved 20,607 people, comprising 8,544 members of the Malaysian Armed Forces and their spouses as well as 12,063 police personnel and their spouses.

A total of 172 candidates are contesting 56 seats in the Johor state election, with polling set for this Saturday. — Bernama