The support expressed by several top Umno leaders for Azalina Othman Said (photo) could have deterred Puteri Umno divisions from nominating other candidates to contest the wing's top post at its inaugural election next month.

"Obviously, they (the divisions) dare not nominate candidates other than Azalina," said a Wanita Umno exco member who declined to be named

"Otherwise, I think some of them ( the challengers) could have easily gained the minimum two nominations needed to contest against Azalina," she told malaysiakini today.

Azalina, who is the pro tem Puteri Umno chief, has received nominations from 52 divisions which have held their meetings to date. Another 113 divisions have yet to meet.

Four other potential candidates, Mastina Abdul Hamid, Raihan Suleiman, Mazibah Mohd Zin and Ummi Hafilda Ali, have yet to receive a single nomination.