KUCHING, Dec 6: A total of 349 candidates have qualified and will stand in the 12th Sarawak Election, which will see an epic eight-cornered fight taking place in N52 Dudong.
Announcing this after the conclusion of the nomination process today, Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said it has drawn a total of 10 political parties, comprising of 82 candidates from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), 73 from Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), 70 from Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), 28 from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), 26 from Democratic Action Paarty (DAP), 15 from Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (ASPIRASI), 11 from Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB), eight from Parti Amanah Negara (AMANAH), five from Parti Sedar Rakyat Sarawak (SEDAR), one from Parti Islam Se-Malaysia and 30 independent candidates.
The nomination process, which began concurrently at 9am, ran smoothly in accordance with the standard operating procedures (SOP) set by the EC.
There were no processions or gathering of supporters with flags accompanying their candidates to all nomination centres, as typically seen during previous nomination days during the election season.
Although all candidates managed to submit their nomination papers on time, two were rejected by the EC.
“The candidate from PBK who wanted to stand in Jemoreng was rejected because the seconder’s papers were not duly completed, thus he had to pull out.
“As for Senadin, an independent candidate was rejected because the proposer and seconder are not registered voters of the constituency,” Abdul Ghani said at a press conference.
A total of 33 seats will face four-cornered fights, 24 seats with five-cornered fights and 13 seats with three-cornered fights.
Seven seats will witness six-corner fights while only four seats are straight fights between two candidates.
Meanwhile, the campaign period for the election will end at 11.59 pm on Dec 17, and polling will take place on Dec 18. — DayakDaily
