Polling in the Sarawak state election came to a close at 5pm and the Election Commission (EC) expects the first official result to be known as early as 7pm.

A total of 1,665 polling stations in 69 of the 71 constituencies were open for voters to exercise their democratic rights. Barisan Nasional earlier won two seats uncontested in Dalat and Daro on nomination day.

EC chief Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman was quoted by Bernama as saying unofficial figures showed voter turnout to exceed 50 percent for the whole state and in some polling stations, as high as 80 percent voter turnout was recorded.

50 percent turnout at 1pm

It was earlier reported that by 11am, a low of 30 percent of 873,703 registered voters in Sarawak had cast their votes, according to a Radio Malaysia Sarawak report.

In other words, within two hours, 20 percent more had voted.

The process of postal voting for 14,642 electors was carried out in stages over the last few days.

In the 2001 state election, the average voter turnout was 66.6 percent and earlier in 1996, 63.8 percent. The highest turnout since 1969 was the first direct state election which saw a turnout of 80 percent.

A senior academic told malaysiakini that he believed the progressive decline in voter participation in the state election progress had something to do with what he called the relevance, or the lack of it, of issues to politics.

This is also the first time that the state elections in Sarawak is being monitored by an independent election watchdog Malaysians for Free and Fair Elections (Mafrel) which has raised flaws in the electoral rolls, apart from other things.

It was even approached by a policeman who came forward with evidence to show he had received two envelopes with two ballot papers for postal voting in his name to vote in two different constituencies, including Padungan.

Political analysts are observing trends of a shift towards the opposition, especially DAP as well as Dayak-based parties, in many areas.

176 candidates for 69 seats

The BN has won two seats - Dalat and Daro - uncontested on nomination day, May 9.

A total of 176 candidates, including 20 independents, are vying for the remaining 69 state seats.

Polling is taking place in 69 state constituencies and the polling stations were open in stages from 8am. The last polling stations will close at 5 pm.

The weather was reported to be fine in the morning in all the 11 divisions in the state.

EC deputy chief Wan Ahmad Wan Omar meanwhile said voting throughout the state was proceeding smoothly, according to a Bernama report.

He said the computerised system of checking particulars of electors at EC kiosks functioned smoothly and voters were able to get the information they needed within 15 seconds.

However a minor commotion was reported in the Pelawan constituency when the DAP candidate, Dr Ting Chek Ming, was said to have involved in a shouting match with SUPP supporters.

He had complained that the BN supporters were standing too close to the Sekolah Kebangsaan Hua Hin polling station.

Najib, Taib visit stations

In a related development, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak also visited several polling station in Kuching this morning before returning to Kuala Lumpur.

The deputy premier has arrived in Sarawak since last Thursday to shore up the campaign by BN candidates.

He told reporters he was satisfied with the voters turnout as of 9am and said he expected a higher turnout.

Asked on the BN's chances in the polls, Najib replied "they were very good" despite having a close fight with the opposition in two or three constituencies.

"But if we are united and support one another, especially among the BN supporters, we can win by big margins," the BN deputy chief was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Najib was accompanied by Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, who expressed confidence BN will achieve a big victory.

The veteran politician, who is defending his Balingian seat, voted at the Satok constituency at 9.15am.