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Malaysia vote: PM Najib Razak's Barisan Nasional wins | Malaysia vote: PM Najib Razak's Barisan Nasional wins |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The ruling National Front coalition has won a simple majority in Malaysia's election, extending its 56-year rule. | |
The Election Commission said PM Najib Razak's Barisan Nasional coalition won 133 of the 222 in parliamentary seats - well short of the two-thirds majority it lost five years ago. | |
The opposition won 89 seats, up from 82, in Sunday's election. | |
Defeated opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim accused the ruling coalition of widespread fraud. | |
Some 80% of registered voters cast ballots, said election officials. | Some 80% of registered voters cast ballots, said election officials. |
Voters had been faced with returning the ruling party, or choosing Mr Anwar's untested three-party alliance, Pakatan Rakyat. | Voters had been faced with returning the ruling party, or choosing Mr Anwar's untested three-party alliance, Pakatan Rakyat. |
As the result was confirmed, Mr Najib, 59, urged all Malaysians to accept his coalition's victory. | As the result was confirmed, Mr Najib, 59, urged all Malaysians to accept his coalition's victory. |
"The results show a trend of polarisation which worries the government. If it is not addressed, it can create tension or division in the country," he said. | "The results show a trend of polarisation which worries the government. If it is not addressed, it can create tension or division in the country," he said. |
"We have to show to the world that we are a mature democracy." | "We have to show to the world that we are a mature democracy." |
Fraud claims | Fraud claims |
Earlier, Mr Najib had said he was confident Malaysians would retain his coalition and even return the two-thirds parliamentary majority. | |
Barisan Nasional, while credited with bringing economic development and political stability, has also been tainted by allegations of corruption. | Barisan Nasional, while credited with bringing economic development and political stability, has also been tainted by allegations of corruption. |
In what was considered a tight race, it had campaigned hard to shore up its base among poorer ethnic Malay neighbourhoods and in rural areas. | In what was considered a tight race, it had campaigned hard to shore up its base among poorer ethnic Malay neighbourhoods and in rural areas. |
But Mr Anwar refused to concede defeat, accusing the authorities of widespread abuses which he said had distorted the result of the election. | But Mr Anwar refused to concede defeat, accusing the authorities of widespread abuses which he said had distorted the result of the election. |
"It is an election that we consider fraudulent and the Electoral Commission has failed," he told a news conference after midnight on Monday. | "It is an election that we consider fraudulent and the Electoral Commission has failed," he told a news conference after midnight on Monday. |
Allegations of election fraud surfaced before the election. | |
Some of those who voted in advance told BBC News that indelible ink on their hands - supposed to last for days and show they had already voted - had easily washed off. | |
The opposition also accused the government of funding flights for supporters to key states, which the government denied. | The opposition also accused the government of funding flights for supporters to key states, which the government denied. |
Independent pollster Merdeka Center also cited unconfirmed reports of foreign nationals being given ID documents and being allowed to vote. | Independent pollster Merdeka Center also cited unconfirmed reports of foreign nationals being given ID documents and being allowed to vote. |
And the international organisation Human Rights Watch said there had been well-planned attacks against the country's independent media ahead of the polls. | And the international organisation Human Rights Watch said there had been well-planned attacks against the country's independent media ahead of the polls. |
Most traditional media in Malaysia are linked to the governing parties so their opponents rely almost exclusively on the internet to get their message out, correspondents say. | Most traditional media in Malaysia are linked to the governing parties so their opponents rely almost exclusively on the internet to get their message out, correspondents say. |