KOTA KINABALU, Sept 11  -- Perikatan Nasional (PN) and its allies have resolved their overlapping claims to seats and averted potential clashes in at least 11 constituencies, less than 24 hours before tomorrow’s nominations for the Sabah state election.

The amicable solution was reached when leaders of PN, Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) met Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin here today.

“We have reached consensus to avoid these clashes,” said BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi after attending the meeting.

Media reports identified these 11 seats as Bengkoka, Telupid, Matunggong, Kadamaian, Tandek, Tulid, Sook, Kapayan, Karamunting, Paginatan and Tanjung Aru. 

On the other end of the political divide, Warisan Plus and its allies have also finished announcing all the 73 seats they will be contesting, with PKR being the latest to say it will contest in seven seats.

Meanwhile, based on announcements by political parties, the snap polls are unlikely to see straight fights in any constituency.

On the other hand, the polls will be a crowded field, with many constituencies likely to see multi-cornered fights involving up to eight candidates.

Warisan Plus, Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), and BN, PN and their ally PBS have all announced their candidates for the 73 seats.

USNO, founded by Sabah independence fighter the late Tun Datu Mustapha Datu Harun and now headed by former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, is expected to contest in at least 44 seats.

Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GAGASAN) secretary-general Stephen Jacob confirmed that his party wll contest in at least 40 seats while Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS) will vie for four seats.

This did not include Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which will only reveal its candidates during the nomination process tomorrow.

As usual, independent candidates are also expected to join the fray tomorrow.

-- BERNAMA