PUTRAJAYA, July 29 — The six state elections scheduled for August 12 are shaping up to be multi-cornered fights for seats.

The Election Commission (EC) today said that there will be 51 three-cornered fights, 13 four-cornered fights and one five-cornered fight, in addition to 181 straight fights.

The EC also announced that the electoral contests will involve a total of 572 candidates from various political parties who will be vying for the 245 seats up for grabs.

Based on data provided by the EC, of the total number of candidates for the state assembly seats, Perikatan Nasional (PN) has fielded the most candidates at 168, followed by Pakatan Harapan (PH) with 138 candidates, Barisan Nasional (BN) 108, PAS 78, Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) 19, Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) 13 and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) four.

There are 41 Independent candidates as well as candidates from two less well-known parties, the Youth Front Party which was formerly known as Penang Front Party (PFP) with two, and Parti Utama Rakyat (PUR) with one.

The nomination process, which began at 9am today, officially closed an hour later at 10am, with 173 candidate nomination centres witnessing a submission of 573 nomination papers.

"Immediately after the nomination period ended at 10am, a total of 573 nomination papers were submitted by various parties and individuals who will contest in the 15th state election and Kuala Terengganu by-election.

"However, one nomination paper was rejected involving an Independent candidate for DUN N09 Kota Lama, Kelantan,” said EC chairman Tan Sri Abdul Ghani during a press conference here today.

Among the candidates contesting, 501 candidates are male, and 71 candidates are female. The eldest candidate being fielded for the state elections is an 80-year-old who is standing in Pantai Jerejak, Penang, while the youngest is a 23-year-old contesting Bukit Antarabangsa, Selangor.

He added that 252 enforcement teams have been set up to monitor candidates’ activities.

He also urged the candidates and parties contesting to adhere to the rules and regulations.

"All campaign methods and materials are allowed as long as they do not cause provocation and violate the provisions of the Electoral Offences Act 1954 (Act 5),” he said.

The EC has set August 12 as the polling date for the state elections and the Kuala Terengganu by-election, with early voting on August 8.

The 14-day campaign period began after the official announcement of candidates was made and will run until 11.59pm on August 11.