A total of 79 candidates will contest the 16th Melaka state election, with the Election Commission (EC) reporting a smaller field compared with the previous state polls in 2021.
In the 2021 election, 112 candidates contested the 28 state seats, with Barisan Nasional (BN), Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) going head-to-head in all constituencies.
EC chairman Ramlan Harun said in a statement that PH is fielding the highest number of candidates at 24, followed by BN with 23 and Bersama with 16.
Bersatu is contesting seven seats, while PN is fielding five candidates and Putra one. Three independent candidates are also in the race.
11 straight fights and six four-cornered contests
The 79 candidates comprise 65 men and 14 women.
The election will feature 11 straight fights, 11 three-cornered contests and six four-cornered battles.
The six constituencies facing four-cornered contests are Gadek, Kelebang, Pengkalan Batu, Ayer Keroh, Bukit Katil and Bemban.
Candidates aged between 24 and 66
The oldest candidate is PH’s Mohamad Jaafar, 66, who is contesting in Telok Mas.
The youngest is PH candidate Mukhlisul Mubin Julasapiyah, 24, who is standing in Kuala Linggi.
A total of 687,697 voters are eligible to cast their ballots in the Melaka election.
The EC has set Nov 14 as polling day, while early voting will take place on Nov 10.
