The Election Commission expects the announcement of the full results of Sarawak's state election tomorrow to be delayed due to the uncertain weather.
It's chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hashim Abdullah said that originally it expected all the results to be in by 11pm, but this might change.
"Yes we were looking at the early results to be in by 6pm and the last by 11pm, but we have to also consider the weather factor.
We must follow the motto better late but safe. Whatever time the result comes in is okay. Hope the people understand," he told a media conference after visiting the vote tallying centre for the Batu Lintang seat at Dewan Masyarakat Kuching here.
He said this when asked to comment on whether the helicopter tragedy in Sarawak yesterday would affect the commission's operations.
The ill-fated helicopter was on flight from Betong to Kuching when it vanished from radar screens at 4.12pm yesterday.
The helicopter was carrying six people, among them Plantation Industries and Commodities Deputy Minister Datuk Noriah Kasnon, her husband Asmuni Abdullah and Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad.
Also on board were Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Sundaran Annamalai, Noriah's bodyguard Ahmad Sobri Harun and Filipino pilot Rudolf Rex Ragas.
Pieces of the helicopter were found near the Batang Lupar river in Sebuyau around 9am today. At noon rescuers retrieved the body of a woman where the debris were found.
Mohd Hashim said he would ensure that his staff did not rush to bring the ballot boxes to the tallying centres because their safety was paramount.
"Some 21,000 EC workers have been mobilised to ensure polling goes smoothly, and helicopters are our main means of transport where polling centres in remote areas is concerned.
I have told them what is important is plenty of prayers and go about their duties as normal," he said, adding that they were all prepared for the task ahead.
The weather forecast for polling day is mostly overcast skies in the morning and rain in the afternoon, especially in the divisions of Betong, Sarikei, Mukah and Bintulu.
Mohd Hashim said to ensure the polling process goes smoothly tomorrow, the commission would be using 38 helicopters, besides 663 sampans and 64 speed boats.
The updated electoral roll for Sarawak has 1,085,087 registered voters. There will be 1,754 polling centres with 2,789 voting streams.
A total of 227 candidates are vying for 80 seats. Two seats were won uncontested by Barisan Nasional candidates on nomination day on April 25.
Bernama
Fri May 06 2016
Some 21,000 EC workers have been mobilised to ensure polling goes smoothly. - Bernamapic
SDG: UTP lahir pelajar berkemahiran, tinggi tanggungjawab sosial
UTP berhasrat mendidik pelajar bukan sahaja untuk mahir dalam aspek teknikal tetapi juga untuk menjadi warganegara yang bertanggungjawab.
MAA semak semula unjuran jualan kenderaan 2024 kepada 765,000 unit
Persatuan Automotif Malaysia (MAA) telah menyemak semula unjuran jualan kenderaan bermotor baharu bagi 2024 kepada 765,000 unit daripada anggaran sebelumnya sebanyak 740,000 unit.
RUU 355: Pindaan perlu untuk praktikaliti, keadilan
Apa sahaja pindaan terhadap akta itu perlu berjalan selari dengan persediaan mereka yang bertanggungjawab melaksanakannya.
Rasionalisasi RON95 dijangka beri impak lebih besar kepada PKS - SAMENTA
SAMENTA menjangkakan rasionalisasi RON95 akan memberi impak yang lebih besar kepada perusahaan kecil dan sederhana (PKS) berbanding pelarasan subsidi diesel.
Malaysia sasar pengeluaran 40 peratus sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030
Malaysia menyasarkan pengeluaran 40 peratus hasil sektor akuakultur menjelang 2030 dalam usaha membantu mengimbangi keperluan perikanan negara.
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp
Jawatankuasa Kira-kira Wang Negara (PAC) memberi tempoh tiga bulan kepada Perbadanan Pembangunan Sumber Manusia (HRD Corp) untuk mengemukakan laporan tindakan susulan terhadap syor jawatankuasa itu.
Kylian Mbappe tandatangan kontrak dengan Real Madrid
Bintang bola sepak Perancis Kylian Mbappe menandatangani kontrak selama lima tahun dengan kelab Sepanyol Real Madrid pada Selasa.
Pelepasan ketujuh air sisa nuklear Fukushima ke laut selesai
Jepun telah menyelesaikan pusingan ketujuh pelepasan air sisa radioaktif yang dirawat dari loji kuasa nuklear Fukushima Daiichi ke Lautan Pasifik pada Selasa.
Empat termasuk kapten maut dalam pertempuran
Empat anggota tentera India termasuk kapten meninggal dunia akibat kecederaan selepas pertempuuran pada malam isnin di Hutan Desa.
Pendaftaran parti politik dengan SPR wajar disokong
Persoalannya, adakah amalan ini merupakan satu amalan yang baik (best practice) terutama dari segi aspek demokrasi dan politik?