updated version The Sarawak Legislative Assembly was dissolved today, paving the way for the state's eighth election.

Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud announced this at 11.30am in a packed conference at his office in Bangunan Bapa Malaysia, Kuching.

The announcement has been expected since last Thursday when Taib said he would meet the Yang Dipertua Negeri, Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng, at his official residence at the Astana at 10am today.

This morning, Taib told reporters that during his meeting with the Yang Dipertua Negeri, the latter had agreed to the dissolution of the 62-member assembly today and that the Speaker, upon receiving the notice of dissolution, would, through the clerk to the assembly, inform the Election Commission which in turn would fix the dates for nomination and polling.

Although the Election Commission has yet to announce the dates, it is widely speculated that nomination will be on Sept 17 and polling on Sept 27.

Fielding questions, Taib said the Barisan Nasional line-up of candidates had been "more or less" finalised after his discussion with Prime Minister and Barisan Nasional chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

About 800,000 voters will go to the polls to choose 62 representatives to one of the largest state assemblies in the country.

In the last state election held in 1996, the BN won 58 seats, leaving four for opposition and independent candidates.

A record number of candidates is expected this time with the addition of so many opposition parties in the contest, including Keadilan, PAS, DAP and State Reform Party Sarawak, as well as the pro-Umno Group of Independents led by Abang Abu Bakar, a former PBB deputy president and former defence minister.