Puteri Umno members at the division level are free to nominate any candidate to contest for the wing's top post at its inaugural election on Nov 1, said Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today.

He assured that there is no "directive" from any top Umno leader, as alleged, that all 165 divisions must nominate the wing's pro-tem chief Azalina Othman Said for the top post.

"It is up to the division to nominate any candidate they like. There is no order (from the top leadership) to the divisions to nominate a particular candidate," the Umno deputy president clarified at a press conference after chairing the National Forestry Council conference in Putrajaya.

He was commenting on allegations made by certain quarters in Puteri Umno that those who offered themselves for the number one post were unable to secure any nomination from the divisions despite their wide grassroots appeal because of the 'directive'.

To date, Azalina has swept all the nominations after 52 divisions concluded their meeting, thus leaving the future of the five other contenders "very slim".

Five potential contenders

The five who have confirmed their desire to vie for the Puteri Umno top post are Mastina Abdul Hamid, Raihan Suleiman Palestine, Mazibah Mohd Zin, Ummi Hafilda Ali and Shuhanie Deraman.

The wing's constitution requires the contender to secure at least two nominations to be eligible to contest a post in the movement.

However, Puteri sources said that the potential contenders may be out of the race even before the Nov 1 election as their chances of securing the minimum two nominations are said to be very slim.

Whispers have it that "unseen hands" are at work to prevent potential contenders, other than Azalina, from even being deemed "also-rans" in the inaugural polls that would otherwise be a six-cornered fight.

A former exco member, who requested anonymity, said "higher-ups" in Umno had issued the directive to prevent the contenders from getting the two nominations.

Azalina's detractors had expressed their disappointment that she is still free to contest despite reports lodged with the Umno disciplinary committee and the police over allegations of her involvement in misconduct within the movement.

Among allegations against Azalina are that four vehicles belonging to the wing have been registered in the names of people who have no links with Puteri Umno; that the wing has three separate bank accounts; and that funds raised at a function for Afghan refugees had gone missing.