The 16th Negeri Sembilan state election is scheduled for August 1, 2026, with early voting on July 28. A total of 103 candidates are contesting 36 seats in the State Legislative Assembly [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Pakatan Harapan (PH) is fielding candidates in all 36 seats, splitting nominations among its component parties: 16 from PKR, 11 from DAP, and nine from Amanah [1, 4, 6]. Barisan Nasional (BN) is contesting 25 seats, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) 24, Perikatan Nasional (PN) 11, with smaller parties and independents taking the remaining slots [1].
PH currently holds 17 seats in the assembly and aims to win at least 23 to secure a stable majority government. Party secretary general Anthony Loke called the 23-seat target "realistic," citing demographic studies and favorable conditions in several constituencies [7]. He noted the menteri besar candidate is Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, specifying that the state constitution requires the postholder to be a Malay Muslim assembly member; Aminuddin is PH’s sole candidate for the role if they retain power [8].
PH chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called for a stronger mandate to ensure continuity of a clean, stable government led by Aminuddin Harun. Anwar said, "May all PH candidates be granted strength, have their affairs eased, and achieve the best success. To Allah SWT we place our trust." He also condemned slander and false allegations during campaigning and urged voters to focus on fair governance [1, 9, 6].
PH launched its manifesto titled "Negeri Sembilan Kekal Harapan" on July 20. It features 10 key commitments including stable governance, creating 30,000 high-income jobs, improving education quality, affordable housing, youth and women empowerment, tourism development, and promoting interfaith unity [2, 10].
Meanwhile, Barisan Nasional released its own manifesto called "Hebatkan Semula Negeri Sembilan" building around nine pillars such as economy, welfare, education, agriculture, housing, environment, culture, sports, and service delivery [5].
DAP secretary general Anthony Loke pointed out that MCA’s decision not to contest three traditional seats—Lobak, Mambau and Lukut—reduces vote-splitting and benefits DAP candidates by creating straight fights against Perikatan Nasional [11].
Caretaker Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun denied rumors of rifts in PH’s leadership and election machinery in Port Dickson, asserting unity and collective support among state PH leaders and candidates [3]. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim began campaigning actively in Negeri Sembilan from July 22, engaging youth and local communities to boost PH’s momentum [4].
With 889,490 registered voters in the state, the election will decide control of the 36-seat assembly. Early voting will take place July 28 ahead of the main polling day on August 1 [2].
Separately, Senator Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed began his second term as Dewan Negara deputy speaker on June 15, 2026, with the term lasting until June 14, 2029 [12].
