Polls have opened across Tamparuli to nominate candidates for Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) chairman and secretary posts, putting grassroots leadership in villagers’ hands.

The nomination process began today in 94 villages, marking Sabah’s first constituency-wide move to decide JKKK leadership through public participation.

Tamparuli assemblyman Madius Tangau said the exercise was about bringing democracy down to village level.

“We want democracy practised right down to the grassroots. This process allows villagers to put forward candidates to lead their communities,” he said.

Villagers are nominating names for both chairman and secretary positions, replacing the old appointment system with open contests in most kampungs.

By mid-morning, 402 nomination forms had been received at the Tamparuli district office.

Early figures show 25 villages already have nominees returned unopposed, while two villages failed to attract any nominations.

That leaves 67 villages set for contested polls, with multiple nominees expected for the JKKK chairman and secretary posts.

The process is being run by the Tamparuli district office, which will manage nominations, campaigning, polling, vote counting and the announcement of results.

Madius urged villagers to take part responsibly to ensure credible and effective village leadership.

Campaigning begins immediately and runs until February 14, with polling, counting and results scheduled for February 15, between 1pm and 4pm.