TAWAU: A total of twenty-nine candidates were confirmed to contest all four state seats under the Kalabakan parliamentary constituency as the 17th Sabah State Election gets underway.
The announcement was made by Returning Officer Murad Abd Rashid at SJK (C) Yuk Chin just after midday, with all nomination papers accepted within the stipulated hour.
Kukusan and Sebatik emerged as the most crowded contests with ten candidates each, while Merotai recorded the smallest field with four contenders and Tanjung Batu saw a five-way race.
Supporters gathered from as early as 7am outside the nomination centre, filling the area with party colours, drums and chants as candidates arrived to submit their papers.
Tawau District Police Chief ACP Jasmin Hussin said the nomination process in Kalabakan proceeded smoothly without any untoward incidents.
