INTERACTIVE: Key facts and figures about Sabah's 73 state seats

Sabah’s 17th state election will see nominations on Nov 15, early voting on Nov 25 and polling on Nov 29.

PETALING JAYA: Sabah is heading to the ballot box once again, as voters prepare to elect their state assemblymen in the upcoming 17th state election.

A total of 73 state seats will be up for contest, with the Election Commission setting Nov 29 as polling day. 

Nomination day has been fixed for Nov 15, while early voting will take place on Nov 25.

The previous state election took place on Sept 26, 2020, recording a voter turnout of 66.28%.

In light of the coming state polls, here are some key insights into Sabah’s constituencies — from the largest and smallest seats to other interesting demographic and socio-economic characteristics that define the state’s political landscape.

The figures below are for 2025, and is from DOSM's Sabah Subnational Statistics State Legislative Assembly report.

 

 

According to Statistics Department data, Sabah has an estimated population of 3.74 million, with about 70.8% aged 18 and above, making them eligible to vote.

 

 

Bumiputera groups make up 89.2% of the state’s total population, followed by the Chinese community at 8.9%, and other ethnicities at 1.7%.

In terms of land area, Kuamut is the largest state seat in Sabah, spanning 3,246sq km, while the smallest constituencies are Api-Api and Tanjong Papat, each covering only 4sq km.

Here’s how the 73 seats stack up against each other: