Former Perak Menteri Besar Nizar Jamaluddin today confirmed he will be contesting for one of three vice-president posts up for grabs in the PAS party elections next weekend.

NONE Party organ Harakahdaily ran a story late this afternoon stating that Nizar ( right ) had finally decided to stand for election, just minutes before the 5pm deadline to accept nominations.

With Nizar’s entry in the race, it has now become a six-way tussle for half as many seats.

The others contesting the vice-presidency include incumbents Salahudin Ayub and Mahfuz Omar, Kelantan executive councillors Husam Musa and Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah, and party information chief Idris Ahmad.

Meanwhile, party treasurer Dr Hatta Ramli has confirmed that he would not be joining the vice-president race and instead he will be contesting for one of the 18 central committee positions.

Nizar rose to fame after being appointed Perak Mentri Besar when Pakatan took over the state after the 2008 general election.

Stiff battle ahead

Although his administration was toppled by BN after 11 months, Nizar continued to be under the spotlight when PAS fielded him in Bukit Gantang parliamentary by-election in April 2009, which he won with a convincing majority.

In the last party polls in 2009, Nizar garnered the highest votes among all 18 elected central committee members.

Despite his apparent popularity, Nizar is facing a stiff competition as he faces two incumbents and Husam, who has been vice-president for two-terms between 2005 and 2009.

Salahudin, the Kubang Kerian MP, is a senior face in the party who was given the important task to lead the campaign in both Bagan Pinang and Tenang by-elections.

However political observers also say Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar has a good chance of defending his position due to his many active campaigns, including one against the 'saman ekor' which has now been abolished.

Mohd Amar and Idris, both religious scholars, could fill the 'cleric quota' vacated after Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man decided to contest the number-two post.

The 1,100 party delegates will make their decision on June 3.