The Balingian by-election will be a yardstick to gauge support for new Chief Minister Adenan Satem.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said since this is the first by-election for Adenan, it is important for voters to give strong support to the state government.

"I hope voters in Balingian will show strong support to give victory to BN," he told reporters after announcing the BN candidate for Balingian by-election in Mukah today.

Former Dalat district officer Yossibnosh Balo, 47, has been picked as BN candidate for Balingian by-election.

Nomination was set for March 17 with polling on March 29.

Balingian state seat fell vacant when incumbent Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud resigned on Feb 28. He was later appointed as Sarawak governor.

However, Muhyiddin said the result of Balingian by-election would be a proper gauge on the people's support for BN in the next state elections.

"They are still along way off but all elections are important," he said. The tenure of the Sarawak state government will expire on June 20, 2016.

Earlier when announcing the BN candidate, Muhyiddin wants BN to win the Balingian seat with a majority of 6,000 votes against 5,000 votes previously.

In the 2011 state elections, Abdul Taib won the Balingian seat with a majority of 5,154 votes beating independent Salleh Jafaruddin and PKR's Suriati Abdullah.

PKR has yet to announce its candidate for the by-election.

- Bernama