The large number of multi-cornered fights in many rural seats can virtually guarantee that the BN will be able to retain most, if not all, of its seats.

Almost all 28 Dayak-majority seats will see such fights involving BN, PKR, Sarawak National Party (Snap), Parti Cinta Malaysia, yet-to-be registered Parti Ekonomi Rakyat Sarawak Bersatu (PERSB) and Independents.

This has made the urban seats, all Chinese-majority, the only likely ones where BN faces a proper challenge as these are mostly straight fights.

Nevertheless, the end of nominations yesterday threw up several interesting clashes in rural areas. Briefly, these are the constituencies:

NONE Belaga : It's widely known that there is disquiet here over the government's handling of the resettlement of people evicted by the Bakun Dam project.

This was evident in the 2006 state polls, which saw the combined opposition vote in a three-cornered contest exceed that of the BN's.

Chances may be dimmed by vote spread

But with five opposition candidates to choose from this time around, incumbent BN candidate Liwan Lagang's (PRS) chances are bright, but the threat of a reduced majority from the spread of votes is likely.

NONE Layar : This semi-rural Iban-majority seat has been held by Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu for seven consecutive terms. He is likely to be happy that he is facing three challengers.

Although PKR and Snap are in the mix, it is Independent candidate Tedewin Ngumbang ( left ) who appears to be Jabu's most interesting opponent.

Tedewin is a former PRS publicity chief and is expected to be able to siphon away some of Jabu's votes.

Engkilili : This seat was won by Snap in 2006, but the victor, Johnicol Rayong, decided to rejoin his former party, the SUPP, almost immediately after the polls.

Now, Johnicol is defending his seat against three challengers - from the PKR, Snap and an Independent.

Pundits point out big boy not in ring

Strangely, local pundits point out that his biggest challenger is not even contesting.

Johnicol's re-entry into SUPP was not welcomed by some in the party, including Toh Heng San, who was the Engkilili state assemblyperson from 1991 to 2006. Toh resigned from the party in protest.

Although Toh has joined Snap, representing the party in Katibas in this election, there is speculation that his staunch supporters in the local chapter of SUPP will be campaigning for the PKR candidate.

Simanggang : This is one of the rare straight fights to take place in a Dayak-majority seat, between DAP's Leon Donald and Assistant Land Development Minister Francis Harden Hollis from SUPP.

Leon, 35, is a political novice but shows shades of the oratory skills of his father Jimmy Donald, a former Sri Aman MP

The DAP campaign here is expected to be centred on the stagnation of modern development in Sri Aman, as in the case of its district hospital that has never seen upgrading since independence.

New, old faces face-off

Saribas : PKR's Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh is trying his luck a second time, facing fresh face Ricky @ Mohammad Razi Sitam from the PBB.

Abang Zulkifli lost by a mere 94 votes in the 2006 polls, a result which likely contributed to the incumbent being dropped in favour of Ricky.

NONE Batang Ai : This Dayak-majority seat will also see a one-to-one contest between incumbent Malcom Mussen Lamoh and PKR's Nicholas Bawin Anggat.

This is the second time that Bawin is vying for the seat, which the BN won by a 826-vote majority in 2006.

Ba'kelalan : PKR state chief Baru Bian will be taking on newcomer  Willie Liau (BN-SPDP). Both are lawyers, but Baru is more prominent for the numerous native customary rights (NCR) land cases that he has won.

Urban constituencies: Over at Sarawak's three major cities - Kuching, Sibu and Miri - pitched battles are expected between Pakatan Rakyat and the BN's SUPP.

This will see DAP's stable of fiery orators and activists battling the well-connected, albiet aging team of SUPP candidates.

Below is a brief description of selected constituencies that will be keenly watched:

Padungan : In the very heart of Kuching, incumbent Dominique Ng is larger than life. When news broke that he was dropped as candidate here by Pakatan Rakyat, it made front page news in the Sarawak dailies.

NONE Ng is now defending his seat against the DAP and the BN, both of which are fielding greenhorns with impeccable credentials.

He will be leveraging on his track record here for the past 20 years and his tireless performance at the state assembly.

Voters will be hardpressed in deciding whether to choose the familiar Ng or base their decision along party lines.

Hope springs eternal in some breasts

Batu Lintang : Undeniably, this seat provides the PKR's best chance of winning. Lawyer See Chee How is not an unfamiliar person in this area. He had once tried to be their MP in 2008. His opponent, Sih Hua Tong, is a fresh face and SUPP Youth leader.

Pending

: Incumbent Violet Yong will be facing a stiff challenge from the SUPP's Dr Sim Kui Hian. Sim, a very affable cardiologist, has received heavy publicity from the local press since being mentioned by Chief Minister Taib Mahmud during the March 6 state BN convention.

Pelawan : Incumbent Goh Chung Siong will find it really tough going against the DAP, which is hoping to take over this seat, encouraged by the 2006 result when he only secured a 263-vote majority.

Dudong

and Meradong : There are rumblings in Sibu that in both areas, SUPP is facing some internal strife sparked by disagreements over the candidates picked to contest.

Reporting by Andrew Ong, Kuek Ser Kuang Keng, Wong Teck Chi and Kow Gah Chie