Sabah State Election matters will be left entirely to the state party leadership, said Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

According to him, the matters include negotiations for the selection of candidates for all 73 state seats at stake in the election.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also UMNO president, said the selection of the Chief Minister was also handed over to the state leadership led by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, who is the Sabah UMNO and BN chairman.

"I hereby entrust Sabah BN and UMNO to handle the matters," he told a press conference at Parliament Building here today.

Yesterday, the Election Commission (EC) has set the Sabah State Election to be held on Sept 26, nomination on Sept 12, while early voting is on Sept 22.

-- BERNAMA