Umno polls: Merlimau rep Dr Akmal in the lead in race for Youth chief post

KUALA LUMPUR: Merlimau assemblyman Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh appears to have an early lead in the heated race for the Umno Youth chief post in the Umno polls on Saturday (March 11).

The Melaka Health Committee chairman was slightly ahead by seven votes out 191 divisions as of 6.20pm against his other contenders, namely Paya Besar MP Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah, who received four votes followed by senator Datuk Arman Azha Abu Hanifah and Meor Hassan Mat Ali.

Ikmal Hazlan, the son of Bersatu's Tanah Merah MP Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz, appears to be leading in the fight for the deputy youth chief post with a total of six votes followed Mohd Hairi Mad Shah and former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's son, Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin, who managed to get one vote.

It is too early to call in the Wanita Umno wing, as incumbent Datuk Noraini Ahmad is leading with four votes while her contender Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil obtained three votes out of 191 divisions.

For the Puteri wing, Datuk Nurul Amal Mohd Fauzi appears to have a strong lead with a total of 20 votes followed by Datuk Khaidirah Abu Zahar, better known as Dira, who received 11 votes from a total of 191 divisions.

Official results were slowly trickling in from the 191 divisions nationwide.

The official results would be announced by election committee chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad once all votes were tallied and tabulated.

The Umno elections are being held from Feb 1 to March 18, with the branch-level elections being held from Feb 1 to 26, followed by the elections for the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings at the national level on March 11.

The Umno divisional delegates’ meetings and committee elections, as well as contests for seats in the Umno supreme council, would be held simultaneously nationwide on March 18.