{
  "id": 17344196,
  "title": "All the candidates vying in the 16th Melaka polls",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/all-the-candidates-vying-in-the-16th-melaka-polls-17344196",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T05:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/31/all-the-candidates-vying-in-the-16th-melaka-polls"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "As campaigning kicks off for the 16th Melaka state election, the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan blocs are set to continue their rivalry in the region. BN is fielding several prominent figures, including chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh, Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, and MCA vice-president Lim Ban Hong. Meanwhile, PH has chosen former chief minister Adly Zahari and Azman Abidin, a political secretary to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as their top candidates.\n\nThe election will see a total of 28 candidates from 16 different parties and alliances, including Bersatu, PN, Putra, and Bersama. BN is favored to retain control of the state government, having won the 2021 polls with a substantial majority. The competition will be fierce in several key constituencies, with BN and PH each fielding multiple candidates in hopes of gaining an edge over their rivals.",
  "summary": "Several bigwigs are looking to be elected to another term as assemblymen, including chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh, state PH chief Adly Zahari, and Umno firebrand Dr Akmal Saleh.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Melaka polls: 3,452 policemen to be deployed on polling day",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/melaka-polls-3-452-policemen-to-be-deployed-on-polling-day",
        "published": "2026-10-31T03:35:52.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}