Nominations opened at 9am and will close an hour later.

One of the earliest, incumbent Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, arrived at the nomination centre at about 8.45am with his proposer and seconder.

See said that having served Batu Lintang for two terms, he hoped his track record would show that he was dedicated to continuing to work for his constituents.

“My track record is there for all to see, that is the main thing for us. The other candidates should show their report cards,” he said.

See is likely to face SUPP candidate Sih Hua Tong and PKR candidate Cherishe Ng, who arrived at 8.50am and 8.20am, respectively.

Incumbent Pending assemblyman Violet Yong arrived at the centre at 8.50am.

Yong said she was excited to take part in the elections for the fourth time and hoped that the people of Pending would vote for her again.

She is likely to face SUPP’s Milton Foo and PSB’s Tan Kay Hock.

Meanwhile, the contest for Padungan is shaping up to be a four-cornered fight. Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen is seeking to defend the seat for the party, taking over from incumbent Wong King Wei, who has quit DAP.

The other contestants for the seat are expected to be Gabungan Parti Sarawak’s (GPS) Wee Hong Seng, who is also the Kuching South City Council mayor, Parti Bumi Kenyalang’s Raymond Thong and Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak’s Lina Soo.

In keeping with the election SOPs, none of the candidates were allowed to hold any marches or gatherings at the nomination centres.

A total of 82 seats are up for grabs in the elections, to be held on Dec 18. Early voting will take place on Dec 14.