KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) is confident of winning the upcoming Melaka state election, while acknowledging that the outcome ultimately rests with voters.

The coalition’s election director, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, said PH would announce its candidates for the state election on Oct 24, after he finalises the list with the coalition’s president and top party leaders.

“I am confident we will win, God willing. Politicians will always be asked whether they are confident of winning. But the outcome is determined by the voters,” he told reporters when asked about PH’s prospects in the Melaka polls.

Amirudin, who is also the Selangor menteri besar, said the candidates had been identified about two years ago, adding that the line-up would comprise individuals of different ages and backgrounds, including professionals and those with political experience.

He did not disclose the names of the candidates.

Yesterday, PH communications director Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said discussions on candidates for the Melaka state election were over 95 per cent complete.

Fahmi, who is also communications minister, said PH had scheduled its candidate announcement for Oct 24, with the venue to be confirmed later.

The candidate announcement and launch of the PH election machinery for the 16th Melaka state election, originally scheduled for this Sunday, had been postponed.

The Election Commission (EC) has set Oct 31 for nominations, Nov 10 for early voting and Nov 14 for polling, following the dissolution of the Melaka State Legislative Assembly on Sept 23.

In the 2021 Melaka state election, Barisan Nasional (BN) won 21 of the 28 seats, while PH secured five and Perikatan Nasional (PN) two.