All eyes are on the Penang DAP convention tomorrow, as a record 88 candidates will vie for 15 positions in the party.

State party secretary Koay Teng Hai said this was a record number of candidates as many were new members who joined the DAP after its win in Penang during the 2008 general election.

He said some were under the mistaken notion that holding a party post in the state would automatically make them a candidate during the coming general election.

"This explains why so many are contesting to be the 15 elected members," he told Bernama when contacted here today.

However, Koay explained that candidates for the general election would be determined in a discussion between the party's state committee and national leaders.

Currently, the state committee is headed by Tanjong member of parliament (MP) Chow Kon Yeow.

The party's secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, who is also Penang chief minister, has opted not to contest, alongside DAP national chairman Karpal Singh, Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi, Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong, state executive councillor Lydia Ong Kok Fooi and Jawi assemblyman Tan Beng Huat.

Results out by 5pm tomorrow

Koay, who is also Pulau Tikus assemblyman, said the registration would begin at 8.30am at Dome, Komtar tomorrow, followed by the voting process which would start at noon and end at 2pm.

"We are expecting about 80 percent of the total 694 delegates and 200 observers to turn up tomorrow.

"To avoid confusion among the delegates due to a large number of candidates, the name of the candidate and number will be embossed on the shirt," he said.

He said the result was expected to be ready by 5pm tomorrow, adding that it would be followed by an extraordinary general meeting for the 15 elected candidates to form a new state line-up.

- Bernama