JOHOR BAHRU – Voter turnout in the 16th Johor state election reached 26.43% as of 11am today, exceeding the figure recorded at the same period during the previous state polls.
Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said approximately 709,000 voters had exercised their right to vote by 11am, Bernama reported.
He noted that turnout at the same time during the 2022 Johor state election was only about 21%, indicating stronger voter participation this time around.
“We hope this momentum will continue throughout the day so that as many registered voters as possible come out to cast their ballots,” he told reporters after inspecting the polling centre at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Bandar Uda Utama in the Perling constituency here today.
However, Ramlan cautioned that rainfall in several areas, including Muar, Kluang and Johor Bahru, could affect voter turnout later in the day.
Despite persistent rain and thunderstorms since midday, voters continued to arrive at polling centres across the state to fulfil their civic duty.
A Bernama check at several polling stations in Muar found that continuous rainfall had affected areas around Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (SJK) Cina Limbong and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Sri Muar.
Some voters were seen wearing raincoats or carrying umbrellas as they made their way to polling centres, while remaining determined to cast their ballots despite the wet conditions.
In Johor Bahru, similar weather at SMK Bandar Uda Utama did not deter voters, with the polling process proceeding smoothly in a calm and orderly manner.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has forecast thunderstorms in several parts of Johor this afternoon, including Iskandar Puteri, Johor Bahru, Kluang, Kota Tinggi, Kulai, Labis, Mersing, Pasir Gudang, Segamat and Simpang Renggam.
The weather is expected to improve by tonight, with most areas forecast to remain dry.
Earlier, Ramlan said the EC expected the rainfall in several districts to have a slight impact on voter turnout, although the commission still projected participation to reach between 65% and 70%.
Johor voters are heading to the polls today to elect representatives for all 56 state assembly seats, with more than 2.6 million registered voters eligible to cast their ballots in the 16th Johor state election. – July 11, 2026