KUCHING: The state polls, which initially saw a crowded field of 349 election hopefuls, saw another Independent pull out, thus reducing the number of candidates to 347.Hours before polling yesterday, Engga Unchat declared that he would not be contesting in Dudong after all.

       Earlier, Datuk Ali Biju of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, who offered himself as a candidate for the Krian seat, pulled out three days after submitting his nomination papers.

       Gabungan Parti Sarawak put up candidates in all 82 seats while Parti Bumi Kenyalang fielded 73, Parti Sarawak Bersatu (70), PKR (28), DAP (26), Sarawak Aspiration People’s Party (15), Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (11), Amanah (8), Parti Sedar Rakyat Sarawak (5), PAS (1) and Independents (28).

       However, the names of Ali Biju and Engga remained on the ballot papers as election rules state that candidates cannot withdraw after 10am on nomination day.

       Engga’s withdrawal reduced the number of contenders for the seat to seven.

       He sent a letter to returning officer Abdul Razak Awang Bini on Friday night and later took to Facebook to confirm the matter after his letter went viral.