JOHOR BAHRU, July 7 — Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on security personnel casting early ballots in the 16th Johor state election today to execute their responsibilities with complete integrity.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, added that voters needed to make the right choice to ensure long-term stability, progress, and a prosperous future for the state.

“May your early voting process run smoothly, peacefully, and be blessed with ease. Insya-Allah,” he said on Facebook, while wishing the security forces well.

A total of 24,751 eligible early voters were expected to cast their ballots at 64 polling stations, all of which opened at 8am today.

Those eligible to cast early ballots in the Johor polls include 12,041 members of the Malaysian Armed Forces and their spouses, as well as 12,710 officers from the Royal Malaysia Police and General Operations Force together with their spouses.

Depending on the location and voter turnout at each site, early polling centres are scheduled to close progressively between noon and 6pm.

A total of 172 candidates is contesting 56 state assembly seats in Johor’s 16th state election, with voters set to head to the polls this Saturday.

The election features a full slate of 56 candidates each from BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH), while Perikatan Nasional (PN) is fielding 33.

The newly formed Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) has put forward 15 candidates, followed by the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) with four, while Parti Orang Asli Malaysia (Asli) and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) are fielding one candidate each, alongside six independent candidates.

For the latest updates on the 16th Johor state polls, visit https://prn.bernama.com/johor. — Bernama