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Kedah UMNO advises against relying on past polls for BN-PN seat formula

Published August 5, 2026 at 8:32 AM UTC

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Kedah UMNO chief warned that political parties should not base the Barisan Nasional‑Perikatan Nasional (BN‑PN) seat‑allocation formula on outdated poll data. The comment came as coalition talks intensify ahead of the next general election, and the warning is aimed at preventing miscalculations that could affect voter representation. UMNO officials explained that past surveys often miss shifting voter sentiments, especially after recent economic challenges and local issues in Kedah. They urged coalition leaders to use fresh, constituency‑level feedback rather than relying on national trends that may no longer reflect ground realities. The advice underscores the delicate balance the BN‑PN alliance must strike to allocate seats fairly among its component parties while maintaining electoral competitiveness. Analysts note that the seat‑formula debate has become a litmus test for the coalition’s unity and its ability to present a coherent platform to the electorate.