Kota kinabalu: The Election Commission (EC) has issued 22,881 postal ballot papers to eligible voters for the 17th Sabah State Election. EC Secretary Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus stated that the postal ballot papers were distributed on November 17 and 18 across all 73 state constituencies.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the total number of ballot papers issued includes 21,362 postal ballots under Category 1A, which are designated for election officers, EC members and staff, police and military personnel, as well as media practitioners. Additionally, 336 postal ballot papers were issued under Category 1B for Malaysians residing abroad. Furthermore, 1,183 postal ballot papers were distributed under Category 1C, which involves agencies and organizations such as the Royal Malaysia Police Volunteer Reserve (PVR), the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA), the Prisons Department, and the Health Department.

Category 1C also encompasses the Immigration Department, the Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM), the National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA), National Registration Department officers at UTCs, along with staff of Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB). Khairul Shahril emphasized that the issuance of postal ballot papers was overseen by postal ballot agents representing contesting political parties or candidates to ensure transparency.

He further reminded all postal voters to correctly mark their ballot papers and complete the Identity Declaration Form (Form 2) before submitting them to their respective returning officers by 5 pm on polling day, November 29. Voters are also urged to maintain the confidentiality of their votes by not recording or sharing photos of their postal ballot papers on social media.

According to EC statistics, a total of 1,784,843 voters are eligible to participate in this election. This includes 1,760,417 ordinary voters, 11,697 military personnel and their spouses, and 12,729 police personnel and their spouses.