Sarawak’s 13th state election dates to be announced today as EC meets

The meeting, chaired by EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun at a hotel here, will be followed by a press conference. — File picture by Hari Anggara

First Published: Friday, 06 Nov 2026 9:15 AM MYT

KUCHING, Nov 6 — Sarawak’s election calendar takes shape today as the Election Commission (EC) convenes a special meeting to lock in the key dates and arrangements for the 13th State Election.

The meeting, chaired by EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun at a hotel here, will be followed by a press conference.

The press conference is expected to announce the election writ date, nomination day, polling day, the electoral roll to be used and other election matters. 

On Oct 23, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly had been dissolved effective Oct 26, paving the way for the 13th Sarawak State Election.

Under Article 21(4) of the Sarawak State Constitution, the election must be held within 60 days of the date of dissolution.

The current mandate of the 82-seat Sarawak State Legislative Assembly is due to end in February 2027.

In the 12th state election held on Dec 18, 2021, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), led by Abang Johari, secured a strong mandate after sweeping 76 of the 82 seats contested, while Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) won four seats and the DAP secured two.

The state’s political landscape, however, saw a shift following PSB’s dissolution in 2024, when three former assemblymen from the party joined the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), one of GPS’s component parties.

Meanwhile, another former PSB assemblyman, See Chee How, who represented Batu Lintang, left the party and became an independent assemblyman.

GPS comprises Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and PDP. — Bernama