Melaka Polls: Campaign Kicks Off, 79 Candidates Vie For 28 State Assembly Seats

MELAKA, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- The nomination process for the 16th Melaka State Election, which concluded at 10 am today, saw 79 candidates vying for the 28 State Legislative Assembly seats up for grabs.

Representing various political parties and coalitions, as well as standing as independents, the candidates will face one-on-one, three-cornered or four-cornered contests during the 14-day campaign period before voters cast their ballots on Nov 14.

Pakatan Harapan (PH) is fielding 24 candidates, followed by Barisan Nasional (BN) with 23, Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) with 16, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) with seven, BN’s strategic partner Perikatan Nasional (PN) with five, and Parti Pribumi Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) with one. Independent candidates are also contesting in the election.

Of the 79 candidates, 65 are men, and 14 are women. PH has fielded the highest number of women candidates at six, followed by BN with four, Bersama with two, and Bersatu and Putra with one each.

In terms of age, the largest group comprises 28 candidates aged between 41 and 50, followed by 23 aged between 51 and 60, 21 aged between 18 and 40, and seven aged between 61 and 70.

The election has also drawn attention to 11 key constituencies, including Tanjung Bidara, where Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ab Rauf Yusoh of BN will face PH newcomer Mohd Yunazri Mustamiri, who describes himself as an “underdog”.

Another closely watched contest is in Paya Rumput, where PH candidate Datuk Azman Abidin, 54, who is the political secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, will face Rafie Ahmad of PN and Abdul Rashid Abu Bakar of Bersama.

The nomination process was held at 28 centres statewide, beginning at 9 am and concluding an hour later.

As in previous elections, supporters accompanied their respective candidates to the nomination centres, dressed in their parties' colours and gathering in groups according to their political affiliations as early as 7 am.

Melaka Police Chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said 1,159 police personnel had been deployed throughout the state today to ensure that the nomination process proceeded smoothly and in an orderly manner.

He said the process had proceeded peacefully as of 10.15 am, without any disturbances or provocations.

“I would like to thank all party supporters for remaining calm and refraining from any provocations or unrest,” he told reporters at the Machap Jaya Development and Coordination Committee (Japerun) Complex in Bukit Bulat today.

Early voting is scheduled for Nov 10, while polling day for the 16th Melaka State Election will be held on Nov 14.

For the latest updates on the 16th Melaka State Election, visit https://election.bernama.com/prn/melaka/2026/.

-- BERNAMA