Rain Or Shine, Johoreans Showed Up To Vote – Higher Turnout Than 2022
The 2022 Johor state election was held while Malaysia was still emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Johor's 2025 state election recorded a 67.44% turnout by 5pm, significantly surpassing the 54.92% final turnout from 2022.
- Higher turnout was driven by post-pandemic confidence, competitive electoral stakes, and more outstation voters returning home to vote.
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Ballots are in, polls officially closed at 6pm. It’s counting time now.
Johor’s 16th state election is already recording a significantly higher voter turnout than the previous state polls.
According to the Election Commission (EC), 67.44% of the state’s 2.68 million registered voters had cast their ballots as of 5pm on Saturday (11 July), amounting to 1,809,185 voters. The figure had already exceeded the final turnout recorded during the 2022 Johor state election, which was 54.92%.
The EC had earlier expressed confidence that turnout could reach around 70%, and Saturday’s numbers suggest Johoreans responded positively to the call to vote.
Why Did More Johoreans Turn Up This Time?
Several factors appear to have contributed to the stronger turnout compared to four years ago.
The biggest difference is that the 2022 Johor state election was held while Malaysia was still emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. Although restrictions had begun easing at the time, concerns over health and safety, coupled with travel challenges, discouraged many voters from returning home to cast their ballots.
This year’s election was also preceded by an extensive campaign encouraging Johoreans working outside the state to return home. Reports noted that bus and train tickets into Johor were heavily booked ahead of polling day, indicating a greater willingness among outstation voters to make the trip.
Political observers had also expected turnout to improve due to a more competitive electoral landscape. Unlike the 2022 polls, which took place amid political uncertainty following the COVID-19 period, this year’s contest has been viewed as an important test for both the ruling coalition and opposition parties, giving voters greater incentive to participate.
READ MORE: Determined To Vote: Johor’s New Generation & Disabled Community Show Up
Highest and Lowest Turnout
Among the constituencies, Sri Medan recorded one of the highest voter turnouts at 77.2%, followed by Semarang (76.8%) and Sedili (74.3%). On the other end of the spectrum, urban constituencies such as Perling (60.6%), Stulang (60.5%) and Bekok (58.9%) were among those with comparatively lower turnout figures during the day.
Polling centres across Johor closed at 6pm, after which the counting of votes began. The official results will determine who forms the next Johor state government after one of the state’s most closely watched elections in recent years.
READ MORE: High Turnout, Wrong Address: Johor’s Complicated Election Day
Voting Ends Early At Johor’s Island Polling Centres
Earlier in the day, the first polling centre to complete the voting process was Balai Raya Pulau Besar in the Tenggaroh state constituency, which closed at 11am after all 32 registered voters cast their ballots.
Other island polling centres also closed earlier according to schedule, including Pulau Aur and SK Pulau Pemanggil at 12pm, followed by Pulau Sibu and SK Pulau Tinggi at 2pm.
In total, the five island polling centres served 690 registered voters, with staggered closing times determined by the EC based on the number of voters and logistical considerations.
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