Wan Junaidi said postal ballot papers for members of the armed forces had been issued since last Monday.

He said party agents had been informed of this by the respective election presiding officers.

“This is a normal process in all elections, whether for by-elections or general elections,” he said in a statement. “It is up to the individual (members of the armed forces) registered as postal voters (when to send in their ballots).

“What is important is that their postal ballot paper must arrive at the relevant presiding officer’s office before 5pm on polling day, Nov 19.”

This follows Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim’s claim that military personnel, particularly those in Bera, had cast their ballots on Friday and were paid RM300 each to do so.

Despite being criticised by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein over the matter, Anwar maintained that he had evidence to back his claim, which he said he would provide to the Election Commission.

Yesterday, chief of defence forces Gen Affendi Buang sought to clarify that military personnel registered as postal voters began voting on Nov 7.