A total of 1,077 PAS delegates took two hours to vote in what has been described as a crucial internal election that would shape the party and Pakatan Rakyat coalition’s future.

Election committee chairperson Abdul Halim Abdul Rahman announced that voting ended at 6.15pm and the results will be announced at 10am tomorrow.

pas muktamar voting 030611 Delegates are elected from the division level during their respective annual general meetings, members of the shura council, representatives from the youth, ulama and women wings and central committee members.  

One of the most watched contest will be for the deputy presidency where Nasharudin Md Isa is trying to defend his post against Mohamad Sabu and Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

Pahang-based Tuan Ibrahim, a religious scholar, has been tipped as a favourite to take over from Nasharudin whose popularity is said to be waning, with grassroots leader Mohamad trailing after the two.

Also highly anticipated is the election of three vice-presidents. With six candidates in the mix, it is regarded as one of the stiffest contest of the polls.

Hadi and Nik Aziz send signals

Incumbents Salahuddin Ayub and Mahfuz Omar are being challenged by current information chief Idris Ahmad, former vice-president Husam Musa, Kelantan exco member Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah and former Perak Menteri Besar Nizar Jamaluddin.

pas muktamar voting 030611 Also to be voted in will be 18 central committee members.

Pundits are closely watching the PAS polls this year as it is believed to decide whether PAS will take on a bigger role as a national party within Pakatan Rakyat, or retreat into a more limited role as an independent Islamist party.

So far the only signal received from top leadership was from spiritual leader Nik Aziz Nik Mat, who advocated for candidates from Kelantan, with a nod to Tuan Ibrahim, who is also his nephew.

President Abdul Hadi Awang's speech this morning, where he stated in no uncertain terms that political cooperation with Umno is a no-go, could also sway delegates to vote against candidates seen to be more friendly towards the idea of a unity government.

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Will PAS delegates heed Nik Aziz's call?