UMNO's meetings and elections are proceeding smoothly

The Wanita UMNO, UMNO Youth and Puteri UMNO delegates' meetings and elections are going on smoothly, according to UMNO executive secretary, Datuk Ab Rauf Yusoh.

He said he found that the procedures set up by the UMNO Election Committee was being adhered to in terms of distribution of ballot papers, setting up of ballot boxes and provision of the voting venues.

The UMNO elections this year adopted a new system following the electoral college system which allows more members to participate in the elections.

Ab Rauf said the feedback from the 146,000 delegates, would be used as reference to improve the election process.

He also said that candidates who failed in the elections should accept the decision made by the delegates.

He adds, the name of Bukit Katil UMNO member Haron Abdullah was still on the list of eligible candidates who can contest the post of division head as the UMNO headquarters has not received any letter stating his withdrawal from contest.

"The (UMNO) headquarters had only learned of this from news reports. I will try to get more information from the state UMNO liaison committee.

"We will look at the validity of the withdrawal from contest. If it was done within the stipulated period, we will give it our consideration," he said.

However, Melaka UMNO Election Committee chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Nordin Md Amin said that the committee had confirmed the withdrawal from contest of Haron through a letter sent to the UMNO headquarters on Sept 24.