Kuala lumpur: The 16th Negeri Sembilan state election officially kicks off today with candidates filing their nominations at eight centers across the state starting from 9 am. Prospective candidates have until 10 am to submit their nomination papers to the Returning Officer, after which the list of eligible candidates will be announced.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, once the candidates are confirmed, they will embark on a 14-day campaign journey to win the people's mandate, culminating at 11.59 pm on July 31 as per the schedule set by the Election Commission (EC). The early voting is set for July 28, while the main polling day will be on August 1 following the dissolution of the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly on June 5, approved by the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.
As of the previous day, the EC reported that 464 nomination forms had been sold. A total of 70 prospective candidates have already paid the necessary election deposits, confirming their participation. The electorate comprises 889,490 eligible voters, including 867,151 ordinary voters, 16,884 military personnel and their spouses, and 5,455 police personnel and their spouses.
Political parties have been busy unveiling their candidates, mixing incumbents with fresh faces. Pakatan Harapan (PH) is contesting all 36 state seats, Barisan Nasional (BN) 25 seats, and Perikatan Nasional (PN) 11 seats. Additionally, Parti Orang Asli Malaysia (ASLI), the Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM), and Parti Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia (Berjasa) each field one candidate. Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will contest 24 seats, with two candidates from Parti Bersepakat Hak Rakyat Malaysia (Urimai) using the Bersatu logo.
To ensure a smooth electoral process, 4,800 officers and personnel from the Negeri Sembilan police are deployed, assisted by 1,373 officers and personnel from Bukit Aman. The nomination day is anticipated to attract large crowds of supporters, leaders, and political figures.
The Election Commission has urged all candidates and their supporters to adhere to rules, avoiding provocations that could disrupt the nomination process. Weather forecasts from the Malaysian Meteorological Department predict fair weather in most areas during the morning, with rain expected in Port Dickson and Seremban, and thunderstorms statewide in the afternoon.
In the previous state election, held in 2023, PH won 17 out of 36 state seats, followed by BN with 14 seats, and PN with five.