THE Election Commission (EC) has confirmed that 103 candidates from political parties and independent groups will contest the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election after the nomination process concluded smoothly at eight nomination centres across the state on Saturday.
EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said all 103 nomination papers submitted were accepted, with no candidates disqualified.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) is fielding candidates in all 36 state constituencies, followed by Barisan Nasional (BN) with 25 candidates, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) with 24, and Perikatan Nasional (PN) with 11.
BERJASA, Parti Orang Asli Malaysia (ASLI) and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) are each contesting one seat, while four Independent candidates are also in the race.
“Overall, 11 seats will see straight fights, 21 seats will feature three-cornered contests, while two seats each will witness four-cornered and five-cornered contests,” Ramlan told a press conference at Wisma Persekutuan.
Of the 103 candidates, 94 are men and nine are women.
Ramlan said three candidates are aged between 18 and 29, while 12 are in the 30 to 39 age group. A further 39 candidates are aged between 40 and 49, 33 are between 50 and 59, and 16 are aged 60 and above.
The oldest candidate is Pakatan Harapan's Gemencheh candidate, Abd Latif A Tambi, aged 70, while the youngest is Bersatu's Sri Tanjung candidate, Leevineshwaran Murugan, aged 23.
The official campaign period began immediately after the close of nominations and will run until 11.59pm on July 31, ahead of polling day.
To oversee campaign activities, the EC has established 36 Election Campaign Enforcement Teams (PP-KPR) across the state.
Ramlan also reminded all candidates to comply with election laws and regulations governing campaign materials and urged them to avoid content that could incite hatred, promote racial sentiment or touch on religious sensitivities throughout the campaign period. - July 18, 2026
