The eleventh Sarawak state election was held on Saturday, 7 May 2016 after nomination for candidates on Monday, 25 April 2016. The 82 members of the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly, were elected in single-member constituencies using first-past-the-post voting. More than 1.1 million who had their names entered or retained in an electoral register for a particular electoral district in Sarawak was eligible to vote at the time of the election. Malaysia does not practice compulsory voting and automatic voter registration. The voting age is 21 although the age of majority in the country is 18. The election was conducted by the Election Commission of Malaysia.

The Sarawak State Legislative Assembly would automatically dissolve on 20 June 2016, the fifth anniversary of the first sitting, and elections must be held within sixty days of the dissolution (on or before 19 August 2016, with the date to be decided by the Election Commission), unless dissolved prior to that date by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak on the advice of the Chief Minister of Sarawak.

The previous state election was held at 2011. The state assemblymen is elected to 5 years term each. It is expected to be the most hotly contested election in Sarawak's poll history. At the previous election, the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat made historic gains by doubling its State Assembly seats, while the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional retained a two-thirds majority.

The incumbent Chief Minister Adenan Satem first announced the election during a party branch meeting on 29 January, speculating 18 April as the nomination day and 30 April as election day. However, Adenan said the final decision was up to the Election Commission.

On 14 April, the Election Commission announced that the election will be held on 7 May, with 12 days of campaigning and the nomination day set on 25 April. The legislative assembly was dissolved on Monday, 11 April.

Timeline DateEvent11 April 2016Dissolution of the 17th Legislative Assembly14 April 2016Issue of the writs of election25 April 2016Nomination day25 April–6 May 2016Campaigning period3–6 May 2016Early voting for postal, overseas and advance voters7 May 2016Election day

Proposed Sarawak electoral districts A proposal by the Election Commission to increase the number of state seats from 71 to 82 was challenged in the High Court and nullified. However this was overturned by the Court of Appeal reasoning that the increase in seats would not breach voters' constitutional rights and was in accordance with the 13th Schedule of the Federal Constitution.

The composition of seats by ethnic majority consists of 22 Dayak-Iban majority seats, 17 Muslim-Malay majority seats, 16 Chinese-majority seats, 9 Melanau-majority seats, 8 Dayak-Bidayuh majority seats, 6 Dayak-Orang Ulu majority seats, 2 Kedayan-majority seats, and 2 Brunei-Malay majority seats.

Source:EC Full ReportEC NoticeEC Electoral District MapFederalconstituencies Number ofconstituents 2015 Stateconstituencies Number ofconstituents 2015Number of constituents 2016Early votesPostal votesEthnic Majority P.192 Mas Gading 26,171 N.01 Opar 9,5319,71450 Bidayuh N.02 Tasik Biru 16,64017,0411570 Bidayuh P.193 Santubong 37,826 N.03 Tanjong Datu 9,3019,8991860 Muslim-Malay N.04 Pantai Damai 16,16018,409291 Muslim-Malay N.05 Demak Laut 12,36513,83010 Muslim-Malay P.194 Petra Jaya 51,987 N.06 Tupong 20,71321,499647 Muslim-Malay N.07 Samariang 17,69418,250294 Muslim-Malay N.08 Satok 13,58013,5507867 Muslim-Malay P.195 Bandar Kuching 81,992 N.09 Padungan 22,87322,3012623 Chinese N.10 Pending 30,88130,4889574 Chinese N.11 Batu Lintang 28,23828,1057513 Chinese P.196 Stampin 58,111 N.12 Kota Sentosa 21,24725,7613,1637 Chinese N.13 Batu Kitang 20,81917,494394 Chinese N.14 Batu Kawah 16,04516,9911,2418 Chinese P.197 Kota Samarahan 39,029 N.15 Asajaya 10,70610,967230 Muslim-Malay N.16 Muara Tuang 15,56216,1862671 Muslim-Malay N.17 Stakan 12,76114,8467,0550 Iban P.198 Puncak Borneo 42,142 N.18 Serembu 8,9659,06580 Bidayuh N.19 Mambong 16,22717,4679961 Bidayuh N.20 Tarat 16,95016,391130 Bidayuh P.199 Serian 34,602 N.21 Tebedu 12,69911,521150 Bidayuh N.22 Kedup 9,15010,37030 Bidayuh N.23 Bukit Semuja 12,75313,3651911 Bidayuh P.200 Batang Sadong 20,977 N.24 Sadong Jaya 6,7526,74910 Muslim-Malay N.25 Simunjan 7,5137,774960 Muslim-Malay N.26 Gedong 6,7127,08710 Muslim-Malay P.201 Batang Lupar 27,212 N.27 Sebuyau 8,8049,04170 Muslim-Malay N.28 Lingga 8,7318,98830 Muslim-Malay N.29 Beting Maro 9,67710,47400 Muslim-Malay P.202 Sri Aman 30,443 N.30 Balai Ringin 9,8119,94541 Iban N.31 Bukit Begunan 9,2669,3891,0750 Iban N.32 Simanggang 11,36611,4722561 Iban P.203 Lubok Antu 19,819 N.33 Engkilili 10,38410,682191 Iban N.34 Batang Ai 9,4359,492360 Iban P.204 Betong 26,807 N.35 Saribas 9,2969,87930 Muslim-Malay N.36 Layar 8,8359,0941110 Iban N.37 Bukit Saban 8,6768,89750 Iban P.205 Saratok 28,175 N.38 Kalaka 7,3247,3271100 Muslim-Malay N.39 Krian 11,69411,95900 Iban N.40 Kabong 9,1579,287130 Muslim-Malay P.206 Tanjong Manis 19,627 N.41 Kuala Rajang 9,99510,25672 Melanau N.42 Semop 9,6329,61700 Melanau P.207 Igan 18,082 N.43 Daro 8,5548,491790 Melanau N.44 Jemoreng 9,5289,69901 Melanau P.208 Sarikei 37,083 N.45 Repok 20,28220,2632360 Chinese N.46 Meradong 16,80116,882710 Chinese P.209 Julau 22,932 N.47 Pakan 9,92310,32201 Iban N.48 Meluan 13,00913,103620 Iban P.210 Kanowit 19,862 N.49 Ngemah 8,9308,89901 Iban N.50 Machan 10,93210,947710 Iban P.211 Lanang 57,477 N.51 Bukit Assek 28,90828,34101 Chinese N.52 Dudong 28,56929,0286902 Chinese P.212 Sibu 66,375 N.53 Bawang Assan 17,64518,34040 Chinese N.54 Pelawan 31,38832,2336366 Chinese N.55 Nangka 17,34218,6053,0431 Melanau P.213 Mukah 27,167 N.56 Dalat 10,98511,440711 Melanau N.57 Tellian 8,6988,9141250 Melanau N.58 Balingian 7,4847,96740 Melanau P.214 Selangau 27,071 N.59 Tamin 14,46914,948160 Iban N.60 Kakus 12,60212,953420 Iban P.215 Kapit 27,899 N.61 Pelagus 6,8397,18600 Iban N.62 Katibas 9,6019,666400 Iban N.63 Bukit Goram 11,45911,510680 Iban P.216 Hulu Rajang 24,293 N.64 Baleh 9,4279,62400 Iban N.65 Belaga 7,2187,096690 Orang Ulu N.66 Murum 7,6488,24200 Orang Ulu P.217 Bintulu 57,887 N.67 Jepak 12,87313,789100 Melanau N.68 Tanjong Batu 19,28919,6742702 Chinese N.69 Kemena 12,79813,99100 Iban N.70 Samalaju 12,92713,25102 Iban P.218 Sibuti 28,634 N.71 Bekenu 12,23812,250370 Kedayan N.72 Lambir 16,39617,5336953 Kedayan P.219 Miri 74,861 N.73 Piasau 21,34321,1204130 Chinese N.74 Pujut 26,53226,20209 Chinese N.75 Senadin 26,98627,8744444 Chinese P.220 Baram 31,476 N.76 Marudi 14,08514,858821 Iban N.77 Telang Usan 9,34310,000120 Orang Ulu N.78 Mulu 8,0488,60000 Orang Ulu P.221 Limbang 24,977 N.79 Bukit Kota 16,31616,4373171 Brunei-Malay N.80 Batu Danau 8,6618,65722 Orang Ulu P.222 Lawas 18,138 N.81 Ba'kelalan 7,0877,37500 Orang Ulu N.82 Bukit Sari 11,05112,4181011 Brunei-Malay Average 35,779 Average 13,52413,898! Total eligible voters 1,109,134 Total eligible voters 1,109,1341,139,64725,022105 Voting age population (aged 21 years and above):

Political parties NameIdeologyLeading candidate(s)2011 election resultsSeats at dissolutionVotes (%)SeatsBarisan Nasional Sarawak (BN Sarawak)Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB)Bumiputera nationalismAdenan Satem55.36 82Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS)NationalismJames Jemut MasingSarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP)Sarawak autonomismSim Kui HianSarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP)Sarawak regionalismTiong King SingNon-Affiliated Direct Candidates––Democratic Action Party (DAP)Social democracyChong Chieng Jen 20.05 31People's Justice Party (PKR)Social JusticeBaru Bian 30.16 40National Trust Party (AMANAH)Islamic modernismMohamad Fidzuan Zaidi New Party 13Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS)IslamismJofri Jaraiee1.4411State Reform Party (STAR)Sarawak regionalismLina SooNew Party10Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB)Dayak nationalismPatrick UrenNew Party5Independents––2.9836

Campaign

The Sarawak state government was alleged to have abused their power, by banning several opposition MPs and members from entering the state during campaigning, as under Section 67 of the Immigration Act, a person cannot be denied entry into Sarawak if the visit was "for the sole purpose of engaging in legitimate political activity". Opposition leaders like Lim Guan Eng and Azmin Ali were allowed into the state on a temporary basis to campaign during the election period but were told to leave after five days. Both Barisan Nasional and the opposition engaged in online Youtube videos platforms to reach out to voters. Both Barisan Nasional and the opposition conveyed the "state nationalism" message through different ways. Barisan emphasized on voting on local parties to ensure the rights of the Sarawakians are preserved from cultural influence from Peninsular Malaysia while providing a vision of better living in urban centres. Meanwhile, the opposition parties emphasized that all their candidates are sourced locally. The opposition, by showing images or videos regarding the harsh life or rural dwellers in Sarawak, alleged that the federal government has been neglecting the infrastructure development in Sarawak for years.

Barisan Nasional Breakaway parties such as TERAS and UPP, with 5 and 4 seats respectively prior to the dissolution of the state assembly, have their members contested seats under the Barisan banner as direct election candidates under a deal by Adenan Satem after their parties were prevented from joining Barisan after opposition from parties such as SUPP and SPDP. Candidates from Barisan have been seen handing out money, foodstuffs and other election goodies to potential voters. The government is also trying to tie the election to the development of the state such as upgrading roads and building the Pan-Borneo Highway.

Pakatan Harapan Due to disagreements in contesting several seats between both DAP and PKR, both parties would be facing each other and Barisan in 6 multi-cornered fights in Batu Kitang, Mulu, Murum, Simanggang, Ngemah and Mambong. A DAP candidate had brought up the issue of minimum wage being lower in Sarawak compared to Peninsula Malaysia and that many younger Sarawakians were migrating to Peninsula Malaysia and Singapore for better job opportunities.

Electoral candidates