KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 -- Pakatan Harapan (PH) is ahead of Barisan Nasional (BN) in voter support and projected seats in the Negeri Sembilan state election, but the contest remains competitive with neither coalition on course for a clear majority, according to a Vodus Research forecast.

The research firm's latest forecast projects PH leading in 17 of the 36 state seats, followed by BN with 15 and Perikatan Nasional (PN) with two, while two BN-PH contests remain too close to call.

The forecast means neither PH nor BN has reached the 19-seat threshold needed to form the state government, leaving the outcome dependent on the two undecided contests.

Vodus Research said PH currently leads the statewide popular vote with 42 per cent support, ...