Early indications as counting of votes are in progress after most polling stations have closed show that Sarawak National Party (Snap) candidates are giving a strong challenge to the Barisan Nasional in at least four parliamentary constituencies.

These are in Mas Gading, Selangau, Hulu Rajang and Baram.

Counting clerks are said to have already sorted out the ballot papers from Bau (Tasik Biru), which is part of the Mas Gading parliamentary constituency.

A witness at the counting centre said the trays containing the ballot papers indicate that State Reform Party (Star) president Dr Patau Rubis, standing on a Snap ticket, is leading his opponent BN's Dr Tiki Lafe.

Boxes from Lundu (Tanjung Datu) are coming in and this will include a fairly sizeable votes from Malay villages in Lundu and Sematan.

In Selangau the Snap candidate Iban lawyer Anthony Liman was reported to be trailing with about 900 votes with two more boxes containing a little more than 2000 votes yet to be counted.

Trailing by small margins

In Hulu Rajang, the Snap candidate Frankie Bedindang, the former walikota of Kapit, was reported to be trailing by about 300 votes with votes from a big voting district in Sungai Asap yet to be counted.

Meanwhile in Julau, the BN candidate Joseph Salang was reported to be leading with only more than 1000 votes ahead of the sole Independent Josephine Mawat (photo), the former PBDS wanita chief.

In Lubok Antu, Salang's party colleague Jawah Gerang, the incumbent, was reported by sources at the counting centre to be leading with only 900 votes ahead of the sole Independent William Nyalau.

In Sarawak, 22 out of the 28 parliamentary seats are being contested after the BN won six seats unopposed on nomination day. State elections are only due in 2006.