MUKTAMAR A technical glitch with ballot papers during the PAS muktamar today resulted in its delegates not being able to vote for the party's 18 posts of central committee members.

However, the party's election committee director Asmuni Awi gave his assurance to the delegates that the voting will take place tomorrow and that the results would also be released tomorrow.

NONE The results for the central committee elections were initially supposed to be announced together with the results for the deputy president and vice-president contests at the party's bi-annual muktamar that is taking place in Shah Alam today, but it will now be delayed, Asmuni ( left ) said.

A total of 1,129 PAS delegates have begun casting their votes at the 59th muktamar to select the central party leadership's top contested posts.

Asmuni said the election process will take several hours, up to 7pm.

The post of deputy presidency sees a two-way battle between incumbent Mohamad Sabu and Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar II Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah.

There is a five-way contest for the vice-presidency that sees the three incumbents, Husam Musa, Salahuddin Ayub and Mahfuz Omar, defending their seats against PAS information chief Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and central committee member Abu Bakar Chik.

A total of 61 candidates are vying for the 18 central committee seats.

Mohamad Sabu, known fondly as Mat Sabu, was able to cast his vote at the muktamar this evening despite initial fears that he would be held up at the Kuala Lumpur High Court where he is facing a defamation suit by Election Commission deputy chief Wan Ahmad Wan Omar.

After casting his vote, Mat Sabu remained mum about his chances of retaining his post, merely telling reporters that he would wait for the results tomorrow.

His competitor Nik Amar however was in high spirits, appearing friendly with everyone, albeit stressing that there is no animosity between him and Mat Sabu.

“It’s more to differences in opinion within the party. It’s like the same product with different packages. Maybe the leadership methodology is different but eventually it’s all for PAS’ good,” he said.

As a result of the technical glitch, the schedule for the muktamar tomorrow will be slightly altered, with voting for the central committee taking place between 8am to 10am, delaying debates to after 10am.

The results are expected tomorrow evening.