Politics: Polling Centres Open for voting. It's Showdown Time!

PETALING JAYA: Malaysians head to the ballot box today to elect representatives to the Dewan Rakyat and state legislative assemblies in what has been described as the most hard fought general election in the country's history. The 13.3 million registered voters include a record 2.4 million first-timers, many of them believed to be fence-sitters whom Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat have strived to woo during 15 days of intense campaigning that ended at the stroke of midnight.
Gen-Y voters, generally defined as those under the age of 40, are also a major force, making up 42% of the electorate or four out of every 10 voters. There were 146,181 overseas and local postal voters and 235,826 military and police personnel eligible to cast their ballots on April 28 and 30 respectively.

Voting for the 222 parliamentary and 505 state seats will be conducted at 8,789 polling centres nationwide that will be open from 8am to 5pm. Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said the first results are expected at about 7.30pm. He said the EC would issue updates on voter turnout percentages and will make an announcement as soon as either Barisan or Pakatan wins 112 seats in the Dewan Rakyat to form the Federal Government. “When it is clear that a party has a clear majority, the leader of that party will seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to form the Federal Government, or with the Sultan or Governor in the case of a state government,” Abdul Aziz said, explaining the process of swearing in the Prime Minister and Mentris Besar or Chief Ministers.

The EC will upload real time results and all other announcements on its two websites www.spr.gov.my and www.pru13.gov.my.  Abdul Aziz advised voters to check in advance where they are required to cast their ballots. Voters can get information on their polling centre, stream number and electoral roll serial number at the two EC websites or via SMS by typing SPR (space) SEMAK (space) Mykad number before sending it to 15888 or 29292 (Celcom), 33080 or 22789 (Maxis) and 33080 (Digi).