By the end of the voting process, 322 out of 393 delegates turned out to vote in Gerakan's most controversial emergency meeting yet at the party's headquarters in Jalan Macalister, Penang.

The vote counting started promptly at 12pm.

At the final tally, the vote of no-confidence against state chief Teng Hock Nan was defeated by a vote of 174 against the motion, and 145 in support, with one spoilt vote.

penang gerakan egm 101010 teng hock nan Voting started at 10.40am and ended at 11.40am.

64 party delegates had called for the extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to push for a motion of no confidence against state chief Teng Hock Nan, who has been at the centre of the party's state leadership crisis.

In a surprise move, even party president Koh Tsu Koon registered his presence this morning to cast his vote on the matter.

Teng has agreed to quit if the motion of no confidence is passed.

However, Teng’s removal may not be the answer to Penang Gerakan’s woes as questions abound as to who would assume leadership if the former quits his post.

Waiting in vain

penang gerakan egm 101010 teng hock nan Earlier speculation was rife that two party leaders – Chia Kwang Chye and secretary general Teng Chang Yeow – were waiting in the wings to step in should Teng (right in photo ) vacate his post.

Both have come across as still keen to assume the responsibilities of state chairperson despite the party having lost heavily to Pakatan Rakyat in the March 2008 elections. It lost all its state seats.

According to the EGM’s presiding chairman Chang Ko Yuan, delegates needed a two-thirds majority to pass the motion of no confidence against Teng.

On Friday, Chang said Article 46 required a two-thirds majority in removing an office bearer.

It expressly provides for the removal of an office bearer specifically in a general meeting, either an ordinary or extraordinary general meeting.

The EGM needed at least 50 votes, or two-thirds of those in attendance on that day, to vote for Teng’s removal.

However, some delegates said that a simple majority should be enough to pass the resolution as they called the EGM under Section 73 of the Constitution.

They argued that they have not called for Teng’s removal as that was entirely up to the latter to decide after the results are out.

Teng, they however added, has a moral obligation to quit his post if the EGM passed the motion against him.

Chang however argued that Section 73 merely states the steps to be taken for the meeting.

Therefore, Teng's future must be decided by Section 46, that states clearly that a two-thirds majority is needed for an office bearer’s removal.