Sarawak Election: Nomination process ends smoothly, BN wins two seats unopposed

The Sarawak’s 11th state election today ended smoothly with Barisan Nasional winning two state seats, Bukit Sari and Bukit Kota, unopposed.

The announcement was made by Election Commission (EC) chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hashim Abdullah at the EC’s office today.

“Two candidates won unopposed in N79 Bukit Kota Dr Abdul Rahman Ismail from the BN and N82 Bukit Sari Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan from BN,” he said at the press conference in Kuching.

In the 2011 Sarawak state election, BN did not win any seat uncontested.

A total of 227 candidates will contest for 80 seats after the two seats were won uncontested today.

In the 11th state election, BN has fielded candidates in all 80 seats, PKR 40, DAP 31, Amanah 13, PAS 11, STAR 11, PBDS Baru five while independent candidates contest in 35 seats.

Mohd Hashim said nomination papers of PKR candidate for Pantai Damai and independent candidate for Kuala Rejang was rejected as they were not eligible.

He said the youngest candidate in the 11th state election is DAP's Leslie Ting Xiang Zhi, 25, who is contesting the Stakan seat while the oldest candidate is BN's Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, 73, who will be contesting the Bawang Assan seat.

Meanwhile, Sarawak chief minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem will be challenged by PKR candidate Jazolkipli Numan in Tanjung Datu state seat.

PBB deputy president II Datuk Abang Johari Tun Opek is facing a straight fight with PKR’s candidate Mohamad Salleh Shawakat Ali for the Satok state seat.

The EC had allocated RM135.6 million for the election and is expecting some 1.13 million voters to cast their votes.

Voting will be held on May 7.