Johor Election To Feature 172 Candidates - EC

JOHOR BAHRU, June 27 (Bernama) -- The Election Commission (EC) has confirmed that 172 candidates from various political parties will contest the 16th Johor state election after the nomination process concluded at all 56 nomination centres today.

EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said all 172 nomination papers received were accepted after nominations closed at 10 am, with no candidate disqualified.

“Of the total, 138 are male candidates, and 34 female,” he told a press conference here today.

Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) are fielding 56 candidates each, followed by Perikatan Nasional (PN) with 33, Parti Bersama Malaysia with 15, the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) with four, Parti Orang Asli Malaysia (Asli) and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) with one each, while six candidates are contesting as Independents.

Ramlan said 14 seats would see straight fights, with 27 featuring three-cornered contests, 12 involving four candidates and three drawing five candidates.

Ramlan said the oldest candidate contesting the Johor state election is a 73-year-old from Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the Stulang seat, while the youngest is a 23-year-old Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate contesting Johor Lama.

A total of nine candidates are aged between 21 and 29, followed by 38 aged between 30 and 39, 50 between 40 and 49, 48 between 50 and 59, and 27 aged above 60.

He said the campaign period officially begins today and will run until 11.59 pm on July 10, with 56 Election Campaign Enforcement Teams (PP-KPR) deployed to monitor all campaign activities.

Ramlan also said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in Johor has activated five operations rooms, which will operate round the clock from today until July 12 to monitor any abuse of power during the election period.

Any complaints relating to corruption or abuse of power throughout the campaign period may also be submitted via email to aduan.prnjohor2026@sprm.gov.my,” he said.

Ramlan also reminded all candidates to pay the campaign material deposit and comply with local authority by-laws governing the display and distribution of campaign materials bearing candidates' photographs, party logos or symbols, and images of party leaders.

“Campaign materials such as advertisements, pamphlets, stickers and posters must carry the names and addresses of both the printer and publisher, except for flags, posters displaying party symbols and photographs of party leaders or contesting candidates,” he said.

He added that campaign materials containing words that could incite ill will, promote racial sentiments, touch on religious sensitivities or provoke hostility are prohibited.

The EC also expressed hope that campaigning would proceed in a harmonious manner and in full compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.

The Johor state election will be held on July 11, with early voting on July 7.

For the latest updates, visit https://prn.bernama.com/johor/.

-- BERNAMA