KOTA KINABALU, Sept 26 -- Several top leaders of the contesting parties have finished performing their civic duty to vote in the 16th Sabah state election long before noon today after the polling centres were opened at 7.30 am.

All of them were spotted arriving at the polling centres wearing face masks and observing physical distancing in line with the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the Ministry of Health to curb the spread of COVID-19.

In the east coast of Sabah or about 522km from here, Chief Minister cum Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal was seen arriving at polling centre at SK Bubul, Semporna, on a motorcycle.

Accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Suriyani Shuib, Mohd Shafie who is defending his Senallang seat cast his ballot at 8.15am.

Sabah Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Datuk Hajiji Noor, who is also contesting the Sulaman seat, performed his duty to vote at 10.10am at SK Serusop in Tuaran, and showed his index finger covered in indelible ink to the photographers waiting outside.

Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman and candidate in Lamag, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin cast his vote at SMK Bukit Garam, Kinabatangan, at 11.15 am, while Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Frankie Poon Ming who is contesting as Warisan Plus candidate in Tanjong Papat discharged his duty at the polling centre at the Sandakan Municipal Council at 9 am.

Sabah PKR chairman contesting in Api-Api, Christina Liew, on the other hand, cast her vote at 10.05 am at the SK Sacred Heart, Kota Kinabalu, while Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili cast his vote in just five minutes after arriving at the polling centre at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Kota Marudu at 7.55 am.

Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan contesting in Tambunan also completed the voting process at 9.50 am at SK Pekan Tambunan.

Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) deputy president Arthur Joseph Kurup who is also Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) was among the earliest to cast his vote at di SK Pekan Keningau.

According to the Election Commission, a total of 48 per cent of the eligible voters have cast their ballots as at 1 pm.

A total of 2,540 polling channels have been made available at 741 polling stations in the 73 constituencies. Some 17,257 election workers are conducting the election to enable 1,088,711 of the 1,103,646 voters to exercise their right. A total of 14,935 people had voted by post.

-- BERNAMA