74 INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES CONTESTING IN 17TH SABAH STATE ELECTION

KUALA LUMPUR,  Nov 15 (Bernama) -- The number of Independent candidates contesting in the 17th Sabah State Election has risen to 74, compared to 56 in the previous state election.

This makes them the entity with the most candidates in this state election, surpassing other political parties in Sabah. A total of 596 candidates submitted their nominations today.

Among prominent local politicians contesting as independent candidates are Kudat Member of Parliament Datuk Verdon Bahanda, who is contesting the Tanjong Kapor seat, and former Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) Youth Chief Datuk Fairuz Renddan, who is contesting the Pintasan seat.

Also in the list are incumbent Petagas Assemblyman and PGRS Division Chief Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Sahari, who is defending the seat, former Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) Youth chief Jordan Jude Ellron, who is contesting in Tulid, and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS) deputy president  Datuk Rina Jainal, who is the incumbent Kukusan Assemblywoman.

 Parti Warisan Sabah (WARISAN) emerged as the political party that fielded the largest number of candidates, totalling 73, while Parti Impian Sabah (PIS) has 72 candidates.

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is fielding 53 candidates, and 45 candidates are contesting on the Barisan Nasional ticket.

Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional (PN) is contesting in 42 seats, while Pakatan Harapan (PH) is contesting 22 seats.

The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 29 as the polling day for the 17th Sabah State Election, while early voting is on Nov 25.

For the latest information on the 17th Sabah polls, visit https://prn.bernama.com/sabah/index.php

-- BERNAMA