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THE Election Commission (EC) confirmed it has received formal notification regarding the dissolution of the 16th Sabah State Legislative Assembly from the Speaker, Datuk Seri Kadzim M Yahya, on 7 October.
In accordance with Article 21(4) of the Sabah State Constitution, a state election must be held within 60 days from the date of dissolution, EC Secretary Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus said in a statement.
The EC will hold a special meeting on 16 October to discuss and finalise the key dates and other matters related to the forthcoming 17th Sabah State Election.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor announced the dissolution of the assembly on Monday, following approval from Sabah Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman. The announcement came after a gathering with state assemblymen at Menara Kinabalu.
The Sabah State Assembly comprises 79 seats in total, with 73 elected members and six appointed.
In the 2020 state election, the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, then aligned with Perikatan Nasional alongside Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), and supported by independent assemblymen, secured a majority with 41 of the 73 contested seats. Parti Warisan won 23 seats, while Pakatan Harapan (PH) captured nine.
GRS was officially registered as a coalition in March 2022 and currently consists of Bersatu, PBS, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), and Parti Maju Sabah (SAPP), excluding BN and PAS from its membership.
Datuk Khairul Shahril emphasised the urgency of the electoral timetable, reiterating the constitutional requirement for a prompt election to ensure continued governance in Sabah. - October 8, 2025