The 2013 Umno elections opened its curtains today with candidate registration forms being distributed to individuals interested in contesting for various posts before the forms are returned to the Umno Headquarters on Sept 21.

The distribution of the forms for elections at the branch, division and supreme council and its three wings nationwide, excluding Sarawak, went without a hitch today.

Umno executive secretary Abd Rauf Yusoh said the party had prepared more than 4,000 forms for elections at the central level and 100,000 forms for 191 Umno divisions nationwide.

NONE "The forms can be obtained starting today at counters opened at Level 4 Menara Dato Onn, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) or the respective division offices until next Friday, before the date for submission of candidate nomination on Sept 21," Abd Rauf told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

In Kuala Lumpur, 31 individuals took forms to contest for the Umno supreme council and executive committee (exco) posts in the party's three wings until counters were closed at 5pm today.

A total of 83 others took nomination forms for posts in the Wanita, Youth and Puteri movements.

Forms to contest supreme council seats and top posts in the party's three wings are only available at the Umno headquarters here, while forms for posts at division level in the three wings can be obtained at the state Umno headquarters.

11,000 forms allocated for Selangor

In Selangor, each of the 22 divisions were provided 500 forms from the 11,000 allocated, state Umno secretary Johan Abd Aziz said.

In Malacca, state Umno secretary Akhbar Ali said about 3,000 forms were distributed to six Umno divisions in the state and candidates could obtain forms from their respective divisions.

"Distribution of forms to the divisions and from the divisions went well. No problems were reported today," Akhbar said.

Former Malacca chief minister Mohd Ali Rustam, who will be contesting for a vice-president post and Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, who will contest for Puteri Umno chief, have taken their nomination forms from the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

In Kedah, the state Umno prepared 5,000 registration forms for its members to fight for various posts in the party elections, Kedah Umno secretary Othman Aziz said.

He said 300 forms were distributed to each division, while 500 more were reserved should there be any problem.

Meanwhile, in Kelantan, 7,000 forms were distributed, of which 500 were given to each division and state Umno chairman Mustapa Mohamed said candidates needed to submit their forms before 5pm on Sept 21.

"Forms can be obtained at the state Umno building and Umno division offices," Mustapa said.

12,500 forms given to 25 divisions in Sabah

In Sabah, a total of 12,500 candidate registration forms were given out to 25 Umno divisions in the state, with each division allocated 500 forms, state Umno secretary Yahya Hussin said.

In Kuala Terengganu, the distribution of forms to candidates contesting in Umno polls at the state level went smoothly today.

Terengganu Umno election committee chairperson Muda Mamat said they distributed 500 forms to eight Umno divisions in the state to elect heads at their respective divisions.

"The Wanita, Youth and Puteri movements each got 100 forms while division branches were given 200 forms.

"Candidates who want to contest can obtain forms from Umno division offices, if there aren't enough, we have more at the state Umno liaison office," Muda said when contacted.

Muda said candidates vying at the division-level are required to submit their applications to the state Umno Liaison office by 5pm on Sept 21.

Meanwhile, in Kangar, 1,500 registration forms were prepared by Perlis Umno for members contesting division posts.

Checks by Bernama showed that hundreds of Umno members obtained their forms from the state Umno office here.

Perlis Umno secretary Mat Rawi Kassim, when contacted said members interested in running for a post could take as many forms as they wanted.

In Ipoh, a total of 12,000 forms were distributed to 24 divisions in Perak.

NONE Among those who collected their nomination forms were Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who will be defending his Umno vice-president post and Perak Women Development, Family, Community, Welfare and National Integration Committee chairperson Rusnah Kassim, who will contest for a seat in Wanita Umno's executive committee.

Perak Umno secretary Khusairi Talib said each division in the state is supplied with 500 nomination forms for various posts in the coming party election.

"There are some divisions that will distribute forms next week on weekdays from 8am to 5pm," he said when contacted.

In Seremban, the first day of candidate nomination form distribution also went smoothly.

State Umno chairman Mohamad Hasan, who is also Negeri Sembilan menteri besar, said this reflected that Umno was successful as a democratic party as all members had the opportunity to take part in the election.

"This is what the leadership wants, for the system of democracy to be opened wide so that all our members can elect leaders who meet their aspirations," Mohamad told reporters after attending a Hari Raya open house at SMK Ampuan Durah.

Puad to defend supreme council post

In Putrajaya, about 100 forms were handed out to candidates for various posts in the Putrajaya division.

Putrajaya Umno deputy chief Khairudin Samad said prospective candidates should get their forms before Sept 21.

"They still have time to think about which post is more suitable for them in the coming election," Khairudin said.

In Johor Bahru, state Umno secretary Ahmad Zahri Jamil said 13,000 forms were made available, with each division supplied 500 forms.

Among the more famous names who took the forms were Deputy Transport Minister Ab Aziz Kaprawi who is vying for a supreme council seat for the very first time and also going for the Seri Gading Umno chief post; deputy Umno Youth chief Razali Ibrahim (supreme council and Muar Umno chief post) and Mohd Puad Zarkashi, who will be defending his supreme council seat and Batu Pahat Umno chief post.

This October, the election of the party's top posts, including president and deputy president, will be made by 140,000 Umno members from 191 divisions.

- Bernama