MELAKA, Nov 10 — The early voting process for the 16th Melaka state election proceeded smoothly this morning, with many security personnel taking advantage of the clear weather early in the day to arrive at the polling centres.

At the polling centre located in the multipurpose hall of the Melaka police contingent headquarters (IPK), a Bernama observation noted that eligible police personnel began arriving as early as 7.30am, lining up to cast their votes starting at 7.53am.

The voting process remained orderly after the polls opened at 8am at the centre situated within the Ayer Keroh state constituency with the assistance of Election Commission (EC) officials.

A total of 817 police personnel are set to cast their early votes at this location.

Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar, who arrived at 7.52am, took the time to observe the voting process before casting his own vote at polling stream 1 (saluran satu) at 8.42am.

The Ayer Keroh state constituency is seeing a four-way contest involving incumbent, Kerk Chee Yee (Pakatan Harapan), as well as Datuk Seri Michael Gan Peng Lam (Perikatan Nasional), Muhammad Muhaimin Lau Abdullah (Parti Bersama Malaysia), and Mohd Hamnaim Mohamad (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia).

Mohd Hamnaim was also seen observing the voting process at the centre. 

At Kem Terendak in Sungai Udang, the voting process proceeded in an orderly manner as military personnel and their spouses arrived to cast their ballots, with polling stations at the camp opening at 8am.

Some voters arrived accompanied by their children, drawing the attention of media personnel who captured the antics of the little ones as they tagged along with their parents to the polling stations early in the morning.

Voters first verified their names and personal details at counters set up by the military before proceeding to their respective polling streams, while Election Commission (EC) officials were on hand to assist voters with information regarding the voting process.

Three polling centres were opened at the camp: Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kem Terendak I, with six streams and 2,850 voters; SK Kem Terendak II, with six streams and 2,660 voters; and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Kem Terendak, which featured five streams and 2,189 voters.

In total, 31 early voting centres for the 16th Melaka state election opened promptly at 8am today, allowing 12,531 security personnel and their spouses to exercise their democratic rights.

According to EC statistics, 9,769 military personnel and their spouses, along with 2,762 police personnel, are set to cast their votes.

The polling centres will close in stages at 12pm, 2pm, and 5pm today in accordance with the schedule established by the EC.

In total, 687,697 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in this Melaka state election and EC has designated today for early voting, while November 14 has been set as the main polling day.

For the latest news on the 16th Melaka state election, visit https://election.bernama.com/pm/melaka/2026/. — Bernama