Negeri Sembilan Election Battle for 36 State Seats Begins With Nomination Day

KUALA LUMPUR, JULY 2026 – The contest for all 36 seats in the 16th Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly will officially begin on Saturday, July 18, with candidates submitting their nomination papers across the state.

Eight nomination centres will operate throughout Negeri Sembilan. Prospective candidates must submit their papers between 9am and 10am, after which election returning officers will announce the final list of eligible candidates. The process will mark the beginning of a 14-day campaign period.

The Election Commission has set polling day for August 1, while early voting will take place on July 28. A total of 889,490 people are eligible to vote, comprising 867,151 ordinary voters, 16,884 military personnel and their spouses, as well as 5,455 police personnel and their spouses.

Political parties have been finalising their candidate lists as the nomination deadline approaches, providing a clearer picture of the expected contests across the state’s 36 constituencies.

Pakatan Harapan plans to contest all 36 seats, fielding 16 candidates from PKR, 11 from DAP and nine from Amanah. Barisan Nasional, meanwhile, will contest 25 seats with 16 UMNO candidates, seven from MCA and two representing MIC.

Perikatan Nasional has confirmed candidates for 11 constituencies. Its line-up includes five PAS candidates, one from Gerakan, one from the Malaysian Indian People Party and four from Parti Wawasan Negara, which will make its electoral debut as PN’s newest component party.

Bersatu, however, has announced that it will contest independently using its own logo rather than participating under the PN banner. The party was expected to reveal its candidates before nomination day.

The election will also feature smaller political parties. Parti Orang Asli Malaysia and Parti Sosialis Malaysia are each expected to field one candidate, while Parti Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia is preparing to contest seven seats. MUDA, Pejuang and Parti Bersama Malaysia have confirmed that they will not participate.

The Election Commission has advised all prospective candidates to conduct early checks on their nomination documents and settle their election deposits in advance. Candidates have also been encouraged to bring their payment receipts when submitting their papers to avoid delays during the nomination process.

Weather conditions may also affect nomination-day activities. Most areas are expected to experience clear weather on Saturday morning, although rain has been forecast in Seremban and Port Dickson. Thunderstorms are expected across the state later in the afternoon.

The Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly was officially dissolved on June 5 after receiving the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

In the 2023 state election, Pakatan Harapan secured 17 of the 36 seats, followed by Barisan Nasional with 14 and Perikatan Nasional with five. The upcoming election will determine the political composition of the state government for its next legislative term.