Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan speaking to the media at an event on Jan 29, 2023.
PONTIAN: Umno elections must go on according to the stipulated period, including at divisions that have been suspended, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
The Umno secretary-general said an administrator has been appointed respectively for the Arau and Tanah Merah divisions to ensure the polls go on smoothly on Wednesday (Feb 1), despite the divisions being suspended.
“So far, only two divisions have been suspended but this will not disrupt the polling process.
“This means polling will take place at all 22,000 branches and 191 divisions,” he told reporters after launching the Benut 4 water tank in Jalan Wawasan, Benut here on Sunday (Jan 29).
The Arau Umno division was suspended by the party’s supreme council on Jan 5 due to internal sabotage during the 15th General Election (GE15) in November last year.
Meanwhile, the Tanah Merah Umno division was suspended June 16, 2020, but no reason was given.
Previously, Ahmad reportedly said Umno would hold its party polls to appoint its new office bearers from Feb 1 to March 18.
In May, Umno amended its constitution to allow party polls to be held within six months after the conclusion of the general election.
The party amended Articles 10.16.1, 15.3 as well as 18.2 of its constitution for this purpose.
Umno had postponed its party elections for 18 months after the 2018/2021 term ended on June 30 in 2021, which meant that party polls for the 2021/2023 term had to be held before Dec 30 last year.
