PETALING JAYA: A total of 79 candidates have been confirmed to contest the 16th Malacca state election, with Pakatan Harapan (PH) fielding the highest number at 24, followed closely by Barisan Nasional (BN) with 23.
Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said all 79 nomination papers received were accepted, with no candidates rejected after the nomination process closed at 10am today.
READ MORE: Melaka polls see 189 nomination forms sold, 45 prospective candidates pay deposits
Parti Bersama Malaysia (BERSAMA) will contest 16 seats, followed by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) with seven, Perikatan Nasional (PN) with five and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (PUTRA) with one. Three independent candidates are also in the race.
“The election will see 11 two-cornered contests, 11 three-cornered fights and six four-cornered contests,” Ramlan said in a statement today.
Of the 79 candidates, 65 are men and 14 are women.
The largest age group comprises candidates aged between 40 and 49, with 33 candidates, followed by 22 aged 50 to 59 and 14 aged 30 to 39.
Eight candidates are aged 60 and above, while two are between 18 and 29.
PH’s Mohamad Jaafar, 66, who is contesting the Telok Mas seat, is the oldest candidate, while the youngest is PH’s Muhammad Mukhlisul Mubin bin Julasapiyah, 24, who is contesting Kuala Linggi.
The official campaign period began following the declaration of the contests by returning officers and will end at 11.59pm on Nov 13.
Ramlan said the EC had established 28 Election Campaign Enforcement Teams (PP-KPR) to monitor candidates’ activities throughout the campaign period.
He reminded candidates that campaign materials must comply with local authority by-laws and election regulations.
“Campaign materials containing words that could incite hostility, promote racial hatred, touch on religious sensitivities or provoke animosity are not permitted,” he said, adding that such materials constitute an offence under the Election Offences Act 1954.
Ramlan also said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had activated a 24-hour operations room at its Melaka state office from Oct 31 to Nov 14 to receive complaints involving corruption and abuse of power.
Complaints can be lodged via 06-2896303 or WhatsApp at 011-26791569, as well as by email at prnmlk@sprm.gov.my.
“The Communications Ministry has also established a media centre at Hotel Mudzaffar, MITC Ayer Keroh, operating from 9am to 7pm until Nov 14.
“Another 39 National Information Dissemination Centres (NADI) statewide have been activated as supporting media centres, providing workspace and high-speed internet access for media personnel,” he added.
