PAKATAN Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) have agreed to allow their parties to defend their seats in the six state elections due this year.

PH secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said a consensus was reached during preliminary discussions on seat allocation.

“The first round of discussions has been completed and we agreed to include several parameters for guidance, among which is for the parties to defend the seats.

“We expect the seat allocations to be completed before nominations for all six states,” he said in George Town yesterday.

Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan and Terengganu are due to dissolve their assemblies in June to pave the way for polls.

Saifuddin said seat distribution discussions among PH parties are ongoing.

“Meetings are being held in Kedah and Selangor while Penang and Negri Sembilan will holding their meetings soon.

“I was in Terengganu two days ago where I gave a briefing on negotiation procedures and in a day or two I will be in Kelantan to do the same,” he said.

Saifuddin added that should any party want additional seats but could not reach an agreement at the state level, the matter would be resolved by the PH central leadership. – Bernama, April 9, 2023.