Kota Kinabalu: Some 596 candidates were successful in being nominated as candidates, either representing their parties or as independents, for the 17th Sabah Election on Nov. 29.
However, of these, only 73 would be successful in becoming Yang Berhormats (YBs) when the new session of the State Assembly convenes. It is a 33 per cent increase over the 447 candidates recorded in the 16th outing in 2020.
Election Commission (EC) Chairman Datuk Seri Rahman Harun said Saturday’s nominations were held at 25 centres across all 73 assembly seats in Sabah.
Independents formed the largest group with 74, followed by Parti Warisan Sabah (73), Parti Impian Sabah (PIS) (72), Parti Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS 55), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (StarSabah 46), Barisan Nasional (BN 45), Perikatan Nasional (PN 42) and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM 40).
Pertubuhan Kinabalu Progresif Bersatu (Upko) is fielding 25 candidates, Pakatan Harapan (PH) 22, Parti Kebangsaan Sabah (PKS) 20, Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri (Anak Negeri) 17, Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah (PPRS) 16, Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) 14, Parti Rumpun Sabah (Rumpun) seven, Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP) six, while Parti Damai Sabah (SPP) and Perjuangan Rakyat (PR) have five each, with Pertubuhan Gemilang Anak Sabah (GAS), Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) and Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (Aspirasi) fielding three apiece.
Three – Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang), Parti Bersatu Sasa Malaysia (Bersama) and Pertubuhan Perpaduan Rakyat Kebangsaan Sabah (Perpaduan) – are fielding one candidate each.
Rahman said 525 comprise men and 71 women with no nominations being rejected.
The oldest aged 86 is contesting in Bingkor under Parti Kebangsaan Sabah (PKS) while the youngest, aged 24, is standing in Silam also for PKS.
Rahman said there are two four-cornered, eight five-cornered, 13 six-cornered, 10 seven-cornered, eight eight-cornered, 10 nine-cornered, nine ten-cornered, six eleven-cornered, two twelve-cornered, four thirteen-cornered and one fourteen-cornered contests across the State.
The number of candidates by age group comprises 205 aged 60 and above, 178 in their 50s, 146 in their 40s, 59 in their 30s and eight in their 20s.
He said campaigning begins immediately and would run until 11.59pm on Nov. 28, monitored by 86 Election Campaign Enforcement Teams (PPKPR) statewide.
Rahman said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has activated 24-hour operations rooms at its offices in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Keningau and Lahad Datu, open from Nov. 10 to Dec. 5, to receive reports of bribery or abuse of power during the campaign period.
Candidates are reminded that all printed campaign materials must display the name and address of the printer and publisher, except for party flags, symbols and photographs of candidates or party leaders.
Materials containing elements of hatred, racism, religious provocation or incitement are strictly prohibited.
He urged all parties and supporters to ensure a clean and orderly campaign, and advised voters to verify their polling information through the commission’s hotline or official website and social media channels.
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