I am sure that many Malaysiakini readers were concerned upon reading various reports that seat negotiations between PKR and DAP for the upcoming Sarawak state elections had broken down because of disagreement over four seats.

The four are Batu Kawah in the Stampin parliamentary constituency, Balai Ringin in the Sri Aman parliamentary constituency, Dudong in the Lanang parliamentary constituency and Piasau in the Miri parliamentary constituency.

Two other seats of contention - Padungan in the Bandar Kuching parliamentary constituency and Senadin in the Miri parliamentary constituency - seems to have been conceded by the DAP to PKR.

Arguments can be made on both sides as to why they are better suited to contest in these disputed seats. The purpose of this article is to discuss and evaluate these arguments based on past election results...