Malaysia election: Vote-counting begins after ‘tight’ ballot

Polls beget closed in Malaysia in what’s being billed because the nation’s tightest-ever election, clouded by a corruption scandal linked to 1 of its leading candidates. 

With almost 15 million registered voters, polls opened at 00:00 GMT on Wednesday across the nation and closed at 09:00 GMT.

Malaysia’s 14th general election pits incumbent High Minister Najib Razak, who’s in search of a third term, in opposition to his one-time mentor and gentle High Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Najib, who has been in energy since 2009, solid his pollin town of Pekan.

« Or no longer it is been a relaxed election throughout the physical facet of the election, » he told journalists.

« Or no longer it is miles not been that nerve-racking, but it unquestionably has been quite vicious in the command of the non-public assaults which doesn’t replicate a used democracy, » he added.

« But the largest thing is for the of us to mediate on the destiny of this nation, and it needs to be based entirely on facts, it needs to be based entirely on policy, it needs to be based entirely on who can attain the correct thought for the nation and for the of us. »

Lengthy queues at Ampang vote casting centre [Jules Ong/Al Jazeera]

By 05:00 GMT, voter turnout turn out to be as soon as at 55 % – decrease than the final election in 2013, in accordance to statistics launched by the Election Commission. 

Al Jazeera’s Florence Looi, reporting from the capital, Kuala Lumpur, talked about it turn out to be as soon as the first time vote casting turn out to be as soon as held mid-week.

« The authorities declared it as a public holiday, but it unquestionably is quiet going to develop it quite complicated for some of us who’re working, perchance in the larger cities, but are quiet registered to vote of their hometowns and tiny areas, who deserve to commute support to vote, » Looi talked about.

‘Political heavyweights’

Najib’s ruling exact-hover celebration, Barisan Nasional, has been in energy for the reason that nation won independence in 1957.

But allegations of his hyperlinks to a corruption scandal inspiring a remark-owned investment fund has solid a shadow over his election advertising and marketing and marketing campaign. Najib has denied any wrongdoing in the case. 

Meanwhile, his fundamental challenger, Mahathir quit his aged celebration and gave the opposition a boost when he solid an alliance with them.

The ninety two-one year-aged’s return to politics, as chairman of Pakatan Harapan, or Alliance of Hope, gave a current rent of life to the opposition alliance, which had been floundering since its leader Anwar Ibrahim turn out to be as soon as jailed for sodomy on what his supporters talked about had been politically motivated charges.

« You beget gotten bought two political heavyweights leading the battle, » talked about Al Jazeera’s Looi. 

In step with polls on Tuesday, Najib’s ruling Barisan Nasional celebration may perchance well well soak as a lot as a hundred seats out of the 222 up for grabs in the parliament, falling short of a undeniable majority favor. 

Al Jazeera’s Looi talked about: « 37 seats are too shut to call ». 

« I’m grateful to be section of this spirit to form a current Malaysia, » says Santhiny ap Narayanasamy, 32 (R) [Jules Ong/Al Jazeera]

Amongst the most fundamental election components has been the rising cost of residing in the nation, with many voters placing blame on the items and companies tax that turn out to be as soon as imposed three years in the past. 

« I’m hoping in my conception and presumably of us portion my tips, we hope for some create of change that can ship prosperity to our nation, » Zulkifli Bin Mat Saad, a voter, told Al Jazeera. 

« So, whoever it is [that wins] please quit factual to no subject manifesto or promises, and withhold on to these promises and principles. »

One other voter, Muhamad Nursuhairi, talked about: « I feel so lucky and overjoyed, that I could perchance well well vote at the present time. And that I could perchance well well bid my accountability as a Malaysian citizen. »