Sabah Polls Too Close To Call Says Think Tank

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Ilham Centre says victory is still up for grabs for the various parties in contention, but candidates must focus the next few days on wooing fence-sitters.
A total of 596 candidates are vying for 73 seats in the Sabah state assembly, including 74 independents and representatives from over 20 parties.KOTA KINABALU: After a week of campaigning, no clear favourite has emerged from among the parties contesting the 17th Sabah state election, a think tank says, with many undecided voters yet to be won over
Ilham Centre noted that a majority of the voters are aged 40 and below, with a significant bloc — 126,979 Sabahans — aged between 18 to 20, set to cast their ballots for the first time.
Victory is still up for grabs, the research firm notes, even as a sizeable bloc of voters have already made up their minds.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said the final phase of campaigning will involve winning over fence-sitters, especially young voters.
“What’s unique about Sabah is that voting trends lean towards factors involving individual candidates more than the influence of parties or issues being played up.
“This gives other candidates a more equal footing to display their capabilities to their voters — whether they’re contesting under a party or independently,” he told FMT.
Syahruddin Awang Ahmad of Universiti Malaysia Sabah expects candidates to use the remaining few days before polling day on Nov 29 to target specific locations for a more personal approach on the campaign trail.
“Activities like mega ceramahs will be replaced with going to the ground, holding house visits and small meets in ‘hot’ areas where fence-sitters are critical.”
He also expects candidates to intensify their use of social media and messaging apps, both to deliver final appeals to voters and to counter narratives pushed by their rivals.
A total of 1,784,843 Sabahans are eligible to cast their ballots. Early voting will be held on Nov 25 while polling day is on Nov 29.
A total of 596 candidates are vying for 73 seats in the Sabah state assembly, including 74 independents and representatives from over 20 parties — ranging from federal coalitions to established local outfits and newer, lesser‑known groups. - FMT

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