JOHOR BARU: Barisan Nasional will unveil its candidates for the Johor state election at least three days before nomination day on Feb 26, says Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad.

       The Johor Barisan chief also said they would be contesting all 56 seats.

       He said Barisan took note of voices on the ground who want new faces, professionals and young leaders as candidates.

       “Women also voiced their desire to contest, so we took that into consideration too.

       “The list would be announced maybe two or three days before nomination day,” he told the media after launching the Common Ground Iskandar Space co-working space in Iskandar Puteri here yesterday.

       Hasni, who is also Johor Umno chief, said the seat allocations were being finalised with MCA and MIC, and the coalition was considering fielding candidates from “friends of Barisan”.

       Asked about the percentage of new faces contesting in the March 12 state election, he said it was difficult to determine a specific number for now.

       “Unlike in the Melaka state election, Johor is a big state and has at least double the number of state seats,” he said.