The Election Commission (EC) today announced that the polling day for the Tanjong Datu state seat by-election will be held on February 18, 2017.

EC Chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Hashim Abdullah who announced the date, also said that the nomination day will be on February 4.

He added that early voting will be held on February 12.

The Tanjong Datu by-election is being held following the death of its incumbent Tan Sri Adenan Satem on Jan 11.

Adenan, who was also Chief Minister of Sarawak, died of heart complications at the Sarawak Heart Centre in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak last Wednesday. He was 72.

In Sarawak's 11th state election last year, Adenan garnered 6,360 votes to defeat PKR candidate Jazolkipli Numan who managed only 468 votes by a majority of 5,892 votes. The PKR candidate lost his deposit.

Adenan had been the incumbent assemblyman for Tanjong Datu since the 2006 state election.