By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Dec 18: The election results for N78 Mulu will not be announced tonight due to transportation issues involving two ballot boxes that are unable to reach the constituency’s official counting center (PPRU).
In making the announcement, Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said this was due to inclement weather in Mulu constituency, after the helicopter that was supposed to bring the two ballot boxes to PPRU was grounded.
“We had to take into account the safety of our election officials who had to use helicopter to bring the ballot boxes out. At the same time, they were also cut off from road access.
“In this regard, the result for Mulu constituency will be announced as soon as we receive the ballot boxes,” Abdul Ghani said at a press conference.
He added that the overall voter turnout for the 12th Sarawak Election was about 55 per cent, not including Mulu constituency.
Abdul Ghani cited weather being one of the factors causing a low turnout.
Meanwhile, he announced Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) as the official winners tonight.
As of 10.45pm, GPS officially won 75 seats, thus securing more than the 50 per cent majority required to form the next Sarawak government.
Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) won four, while Democratic Action party (DAP) could only retain two seats. — DayakDaily
