Tok Mat: Umno polls in August if GE15 is not held this year

PETALING JAYA: Umno's party polls will be held in August provided the General Election is not called this year, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

The Umno deputy president also refuted claims the party polls, which are supposed to be held within a year, were being delayed intentionally.

“The allegations are simply not true," he was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.

He said based on (the party’s) constitution, they needed to conduct the elections immediately.

However, he noted the constitution also had a clause which allowed for the elections to be delayed for 18 months.

He added that elections at the branch or division levels should be allowed for all attendees and not be limited to 50% capacity as it might cause dissatisfaction among the members.

"This is because there will be petitions to invalidate the election meetings and this could cause tension. This is what we must avoid," he was quoted as saying.

Mohamad told the daily that if GE15 was held this year, there is a high probability that the party elections will be held after that as the party's main focus would be to face the general election.