Voting guide

Before polling day: check three things

1. That you are registered, and where: enter your IC number on SPR's MySPR Semak (mysprsemak.spr.gov.my) to see your state seat, polling centre and voting hours. Citizens aged 18 and above are registered automatically, but check anyway.
2. Your polling centre and time: each seat has several centres assigned by registered address. Some remote polling stations may close earlier; follow the hours SPR publishes.
3. Whether you vote early or by post: military and police personnel and their spouses usually vote early; eligible overseas voters and certain workers can apply for postal votes before SPR's deadline.

On polling day: it is simple

1. Bring your MyKad. Without it, check with SPR which documents are accepted.
2. At the polling centre, follow the signs to your stream (saluran) and queue.
3. Show your IC. Staff check the roll, mark your finger with indelible ink and give you a ballot paper.
4. In the booth, mark one "X" in the box next to the candidate you choose. Only one.
5. Fold the ballot, drop it in the box in front of the staff, and leave the polling centre.

Things not to do

1. Do not photograph your ballot or the voting process inside the polling station. The ballot is secret and photos may be an offence.
2. Do not accept, or offer, money, gifts, transport or other benefits in exchange for a vote. Report it to SPR or the police.
3. Do not write your name, sign or make other marks on the ballot; it may be rejected.
4. No campaigning near the polling centre. Keep to the queue and follow the staff.

Going home to vote: Sarawakians working elsewhere

1. Check MySPR Semak first to confirm which Sarawak seat you are registered in. If your address has moved to another state, you cannot vote in this Sarawak election.
2. Book flights or buses as soon as SPR announces polling day; flights into Sarawak fill up quickly at election time.
3. Apply for leave early and plan your return trip. Polling day is usually a holiday, but follow the announcement.
4. Cannot come back? Only eligible voters can apply for postal votes; working in another state is generally not a qualifying reason. Follow SPR's rules.
5. Do not accept free transport or travel allowances from candidates or parties to come home and vote; such arrangements may be an election offence.

Common election terms

DUN (Dewan Undangan Negeri)

The State Legislative Assembly. Sarawak's assembly currently has 82 seats; voters elect one member per seat.

ADUN

A state assembly member representing one constituency.

SPR (Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya)

The Election Commission, responsible for voter registration, constituency boundaries and running elections.

Penamaan calon

Nomination day. Candidates formally file their nominations; the official candidate list exists only after nomination closes.

Undi awal

Early voting, mainly for military and police personnel and their spouses before polling day.

Undi pos

Postal voting, only for eligible voters who applied before the deadline.

Pusat mengundi / Saluran

Polling centre / stream. Each centre has several streams (saluran); you are assigned to one.

Majoriti

Majority: the vote difference between the winner and the runner-up.

Undi rosak

Spoilt vote, for example a ballot with more than one mark, a name, or an unclear choice.

Menang tanpa bertanding

Won unopposed: only one candidate was nominated, so they are elected and that seat does not vote.

Hilang deposit

Lost deposit: a candidate below the required share of votes forfeits the deposit paid at nomination.

Premier

The official title of the head of Sarawak's government (formerly Chief Minister).

Sources and official lookup

• MySPR Semak ↗
• SPR · spr.gov.my ↗

Compiled on 27 October 2026. Once nomination, early voting and polling dates are announced, follow the SPR notice.