{
  "id": 20096843,
  "title": "Bersama hit hardest as 26 candidates lose Melaka election deposits",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/bersama-hit-hardest-as-26-candidates-lose-melaka-election-deposits",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-15T02:02:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/11/15/bersama-hit-hardest-as-26-candidates-lose-melaka-election-deposits/243314"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the 16th Melaka state election, 26 candidates were forced to forfeit their election deposits due to failing to secure at least one-eighth of the total votes counted. Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) experienced the highest number of candidates losing their deposits, with 15 out of 16 candidates falling short of the required vote threshold. Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) also saw candidates lose their deposits, with PH affected by two of its 24 candidates. Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra), which only had a single candidate in the Gadek state seat, and three independent candidates likewise saw their contests and deposits forfeited. Among the notable victories, Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk Rais Yasin secured the largest winning majority in Sungai Udang, with 16,214 votes, while the closely-contested Sungai Udang seat saw 22,195 of 29,692 registered voters cast ballots. BN candidate Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem triumphed in the Machap Jaya seat, retaining it from the previous 2021 Melaka state election with a 938-vote majority over PH's Datuk Ginie Lim Siew Lin and Bersama's Prasanth Kumar Brakasam.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 — A total of 26 candidates forfeited their election deposits after failing to secure at least...",
  "key_points": [
    "26 candidates lose deposits in Melaka election",
    "Parti Bersama Malaysia suffers most losses",
    "Barisan Nasional candidate wins largest majority"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The widespread forfeiture of deposits signals a significant lack of electoral viability for smaller parties like Bersama, which struggled to achieve even minimal voter support across the state.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "One-third of Melaka election candidates lose deposits",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/one-third-of-melaka-election-candidates-lose-deposits",
        "published": "2026-11-15T00:07:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}