Putrajaya: Barisan Nasional (BN) has finalized its list of candidates for the upcoming 17th Sabah state election, as confirmed by its secretary-general, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir. The coalition has completed its preparations for the election, including holding discussions with the autonomous Sabah BN leadership.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Zambry stated that preparations at the BN level are complete, and they are currently awaiting the right moment to announce the candidates. “Insya-Allah, we expect the BN chairman along with the Sabah leadership to make the announcement at an appropriate time,” he mentioned during a press briefing after reviewing the arrangements for the Putrajaya Festival of Ideas at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).

Earlier reports indicated that BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi mentioned that the party plans to announce its candidate list and the specific seats it will contest roughly a week prior to nomination day. He also highlighted that BN will not be contesting all 73 seats but will instead target specific constituencies.

The Election Commission has scheduled November 29 as the polling day for the state election, with nomination day set for November 15 and early voting on November 25. The Sabah State Assembly consists of 79 seats, with 73 open for contest while the remaining six are appointed assembly members.