JASIN – Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh is set to defend his Merlimau state seat against Melaka Amanah Women's chief Rahayu Hamzah in a straight fight between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the 16th Melaka state election.
Dr Akmal, who is seeking another term as the Merlimau assemblyman, was accompanied by Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi during today's nomination-related proceedings at Merlimau Politeknik's Platinum Hall.
The contest will see Dr Akmal face Rahayu, who is representing PH, as the two candidates seek support from voters in the constituency.
Election Commission (EC) officer for Merlimau, Khairil Hafiz Yahya made the announcement earlier today at 10.30am.
Akmal previously won Merlimau in the 2021 Melaka state election, securing 5,633 votes and a majority of 3,248 in a three-cornered contest.
His challengers at the time were Amanah's Azrin Abdul Majid, who represented PH and received 2,385 votes and Pas candidate Abdul Alim Shapie, who contested under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) banner and secured 1,622 votes.
The result saw Akmal retain the seat for BN, which has traditionally held Merlimau. The constituency had 14,014 registered voters during the 2021 election, with 9,788 ballots cast.
The upcoming contest will therefore see Akmal face a different PH candidate, with Rahayu taking over the challenge previously mounted by Amanah through Azrin.
The outcome will also be among the contests watched as BN seeks to maintain its position in the state, while PH looks to improve following its poor performance in the previous state elections.
The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 14 as polling day for the Melaka state election, with early voting scheduled for Nov 10 while campaigning will run for 14 days until 11.59pm on Nov 13.
The election follows the dissolution of the 28-seat Melaka State Legislative Assembly on Sept 23, announced by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
Political coalitions need at least 15 seats to form the state government, while 19 seats are required for a two-thirds majority.
In the 15th Melaka State Election on Nov 20, 2021, BN won 21 seats, comprising 18 seats by Umno, two by MCA and one by MIC, securing a more than two-thirds majority to form the state government.
PH won five seats, with DAP securing four and Amanah one, while PN won two seats.