
The Election Commission has confirmed 596 candidates will contest the 17th Sabah state election across 73 seats.
EC chairman Ramlan Harun said 74 are running as independents, while Warisan is fielding candidates in every seat.
Parti Impian Sabah comes next with 72 candidates, followed by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (55), Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (46), Barisan Nasional (45), Perikatan Nasional (42), Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (40), Upko (25), Pakatan Harapan (22), and Parti Kebangsaan Sabah (20).
Parties with fewer than 20 candidates include Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri (17), Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah (16), Parti Bumi Kenyalang (14), Parti Rumpun Sabah (7), Sabah Progressive Party (6), Parti Damai Sabah and Perjuangan Rakyat (5 each).
Three candidates each are fielded by Pertubuhan Gemilang Anak Sabah, Parti Bangsa Malaysia, and Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak.
One candidate each comes from Pejuang, Parti Bersatu Sasa Malaysia, and Pertubuhan Perpaduan Rakyat Kebangsaan Sabah.
The lineup includes 525 men and 71 women.
Tulid will see the most crowded race with 14 candidates.
There are 13 six-cornered fights, 10 each of nine- and seven-cornered contests, nine 10-cornered clashes, eight each of eight- and five-cornered battles, and six 11-cornered races.
Only four seats feature 13-cornered fights, with two 12-cornered and two four-cornered contests.
The oldest contender is Thomas Anggan, 86, from Parti Kebangsaan Sabah in Bingkor, while the youngest is Syafiq Iqhmal Saharudin, 24, from the same party in Silam.
A total of 1,784,843 voters are eligible, with early voting on Nov 25 and polling on Nov 29.