05/07/2026 04:07 PM

Negeri Sembilan Polls: BN May Not Retain Approach In Traditional Seats - Mohamad

SEREMBAN, July 5 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) is likely to make changes to not retain the 'traditional seats' in the division of constituencies contested by the party in the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election.

BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the move was due to the composition of voters in most constituencies which has changed a lot at the moment.

"We want to look again and if possible, we want to modify it so that it gives an opportunity to component parties in the BN to contest in constituencies that they feel they can win. Compared to the traditional way, for example, seats 1, 2, 3, 4, these are yours.

"So, it does not provide space and also does not give voters the opportunity to choose. That is my view as the Negeri Sembilan BN chairman, do a seat swap because we must give voters an opportunity.

"If it is getting worse, why do we want to give the same party to contest in the same place? We may change seats but we try to accommodate as many friends as possible among BN components," he said after officiating the Rembau Division Wanita, Youth and Puteri UMNO Delegates Meeting, here today.

Mohamad, who is also UMNO deputy president, said the previous election results would be used as a guide in assessing voter support patterns and demographic changes in each area before any decision was made.

However, he said any final decision regarding the distribution of seats and the list of candidates for components, including friends of BN, was subject to the decision of the BN Supreme Council at the central level.

He said all division heads were instructed to submit their respective lists of candidates according to the established procedure with at least three candidates for each seat.

"We will do it immediately because we want to announce the names of the candidates on July 15 when we launch the BN election machinery, we don't have much time left," he said.

Mohamad said BN cannot face any internal disputes ahead of the election because past experience has shown that several seats were lost due to sabotage among its own members.

Meanwhile, he did not rule out the possibility of defending the Rantau state seat, which he has held since 2004, but said the matter would depend on the party leadership's decision.

The Election Commission (EC) has set the polling day for the Negeri Sembilan state election on August 1, with nominations on July 18 and July 28 for early voting.

-- BERNAMA

 

 

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