THE Election Commission (EC) has confirmed that 103 candidates will contest in the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election, with polling set for Aug 1, 2026. All 36 state seats will see contests, involving both government and opposition blocs.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) is fielding candidates in all 36 seats, while Barisan Nasional (BN) will contest 25. Perikatan Nasional (PN) has 11 candidates, but its former ally Bersatu has broken away to contest 24 seats under its own logo.
Other parties in the fray include Parti Sosialis Malaysia, Parti Orang Asli Malaysia, and Parti Berjasa, each with one candidate. Four independents are also standing.
The contests will feature 11 straight fights, 21 three‑cornered battles, two four‑cornered contests (Jeram Padang and Rahang), and two five‑cornered contests (Nilai and Sri Tanjung).
The oldest candidate is PH’s Abd Latif A Tambi, 70, contesting in Gemencheh, while the youngest is Bersatu’s M Leevineshwaran, 23, in Sri Tanjung.
Key figures include Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun, shifting from Sikamat to Linggi; DAP Secretary‑General Anthony Loke Siew Fook, defending Chennah; UMNO Deputy President Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, seeking a seventh term in Rantau; and Negeri Sembilan UMNO chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias, defending Pertang.
Other notable candidates are PKR’s former Kapar MP G Manivannan in Jeram Padang and Bersatu Information Chief Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz in Sikamat.
The election follows the dissolution of the state assembly in June, after all 14 UMNO assemblymen withdrew support for Aminuddin over a royal dispute.
A total of 889,490 voters are eligible, with early voting on July 28 and polling day on Aug 1. — July 18, 2026
Main photo credit: Bernama
