KOTA KINABALU, Nov. 15 -- A record-breaking 596 candidates and 24 political parties are contesting in the 17th Sabah state election.

Election Commission chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said the nomination process for the polls was carried out today at 25 centres involving the 73 state seats across Sabah.

"After the nomination period closed at 10am, a total of 596 candidates representing various parties were confirmed to be contesting in the 17th Sabah State General Election," he told a press conference here.

They include 74 independent candidates, followed by Parti Warisan's 73 candidates, Parti Impian Sabah with 72 candidates, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah with 55 candidates, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku with 46 candidates, and Barisan Nasio...