{
  "id": 17342823,
  "title": "Less crowded field in Melaka polls with 79 candidates contesting 28 seats",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/less-crowded-field-in-melaka-polls-with-79-candidates-contesting-28",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T04:33:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/31/less-crowded-field-in-melaka-polls-with-79-candidates-contesting-28-seats"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 16th Melaka state election is set to take place with a reduced number of candidates compared to the 2021 polls. Election Commission chairman Ramlan Harun revealed that 79 candidates will compete for the 28 seats, representing a more subdued political landscape. PH is leading with 24 candidates, followed by BN with 23, Bersama with 16, Bersatu with 7, PN with 5, and Putra with 1. Three independent candidates are also participating. The candidates are evenly split, with 65 men and 14 women vying for the positions. The election will feature 11 straight races, 11 three-way contests, and six four-way battles, occurring in Gadek, Kelebang, Pengkalan Batu, Ayer Keroh, Bukit Katil, and Bemban. The oldest candidate is 66-year-old PH's Mohamad Jaafar in Telok Mas, while the youngest is 24-year-old PH's Mukhlisul Mubin Julasapiyah from Kuala Linggi. A total of 687,697 eligible voters are set to participate in the election, with polling day scheduled for Nov 14 and early voting on Nov 10.",
  "summary": "The state election will see 11 straight fights, 11 three-cornered contests, and six four-cornered battles.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Melaka polls: All 28 candidate nomination centres close at 10am",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/melaka-polls-all-28-candidate-nomination-centres-close-at-10am",
        "published": "2026-10-31T02:30:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "General : 79 Candidates To Contest 28 Seats In 16th Melaka State Election - EC Chairman",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/general-79-candidates-to-contest-28-seats-in-16th-melaka-state",
        "published": "2026-10-31T03:35:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "EC: 79 candidates, including 14 women, to contest 28 Melaka seats, with 11 straight fights and six four-cornered contests",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/ec-79-candidates-including-14-women-to-contest-28-melaka-seats-with",
        "published": "2026-10-31T05:13:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}