KUALA LUMPUR: The 16th Sabah Election is living up to its previous polls with multi cornered in most of its 73 state seats which are up grabs.
In the Inanam state seat, former Chief Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat who is returning to active politics by contesting under the Liberal Democratic (LDP) party ticket will lock horns with 8 other contestants.
The 9-cornered fight for the seat which comes under the Sepanggar Parliamentary seat will include nominees from Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri Anak Negeri, Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), PKR, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS), United Sabah National Organisation (USNO) and independents.
In the Api-Api state seat, incumbent and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew will face a tough time defending her seat as she faces eight other contestants. In the nine-cornered fight in the seat located in the Kota Kinabalu Parliamentary seat, the PKR Sabah Chief faces opponents from Parti Bersatu Sabah, LDP, PCS, Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah (PPRS), PGRS, and three independents
In the Segama state seat former Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi is facing a tough fight as seven contestants line-up against him in the seat which comes under the Lahad Datu Parliamentary seat. The eight cornered fight will see the Lahad datu Member of Parliament to face contestants from PGRS, LDP, PKSB, PCS, PN, PPRS, Independent
In the Tanjung Papat seat, incumbent Frankie Poon from the DAP faces six others from PCS, PN, LDP, USNO, PPRS and an Independent, as the Health and People's People's Wellbeing minister faces a seven cornered fight.
Also in the Sanadakan Parliamentary seat, the Elopura state seat will see DAP's Chong Ket Kiun seeking to retain his seat as he faces challenge from five others in a six cornered fight which will see contestants representing the BN, Warisan Plus, PCS, LDP, PPRS and an Independent
In the newly created Sungai Manila seat located in the Libaran Parliamentary seat will also see a six cornered fight between BN, Warisan Plus, PCS, LDP, PPRS and USNO. Also in the Libaran Parliamentary State seat, the Gum Gum state seat will see also see a six cornered fight with contestants in the ring coming from BN, Warisan Plus, PCS, LDP, PPRS as well as an Independent.
In Senallang seat, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal contesting under the Parti Warisan Sabah will have to stave off challenges from four others. In the five-cornered fight, he will have in his good company nominees from Bersatu, PCS, USNO, and PPRS.
Despite the absence of former Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman from his seat, the Sungai Sibuga seat also in the Libaran Parliamentary seat will see five-cornered fight between BN, Warisan Plus, PCS, LDP and PPRS. Musa had held the Sungai Sibuga state seat since 1994.
The election will witness candidates contesting in 73 state seats, including 13 new seats.
The Election Commission (EC) fixed polling day for Sept 26 and early voting for Sept 22.
A total of 1.12 million voters are eligible to vote in the election.