KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 30 candidates lost their deposits after failing to secure at least one-eighth of the total votes cast in the 16th Negri Sembilan state election.
Bersatu, which failed to win a single seat and lost the Labu seat it was defending, suffered the biggest setback, with 23 of its 24 candidates losing their deposits.
The sole candidates from Parti Orang Asli Malaysia and Parti Sosialis Malaysia also lost their deposits, along with one PH candidate and four independent candidates, Bernama reported.
Meanwhile, candidates aged between 41 and 50 recorded the highest proportion of lost deposits, with 13 of the 36 candidates in the age group, or 36.11%, failing to retain their deposits.
Barisan and Perikatan won a combined 25 of the 36 state seats, while Pakatan secured the remaining 11.
Candidates contesting state elections must pay a RM5,000 deposit, which is forfeited if they fail to secure at least one-eighth of the total valid votes cast.
They are also required to pay a separate RM3,000 campaign materials deposit.
