PKR will only discuss the candidacy of former Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah in the coming election if she joins the party, secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution has said.

"At the moment, we have not received any application from Maria to join PKR.

"The question of Maria contesting under a PKR ticket, and whether we field her as candidate, can only be discussed after she is accepted as a member.

"Until then, the issue of Maria being offered a seat by PKR does not arise," Saifuddin told Malaysiakini today.

However, he did note that there have been party discussions on Maria’s candidacy, and said that he also fielded questions from party members on the matter.

Read more: PKR to decide on seat for Maria after EC confirms boundaries

Since stepping down as Bersih chairperson and announcing her entry into politics, there has been speculation that Maria will contest under a PKR ticket, and that she may be fielded in the parliamentary seats of Petaling Jaya Selatan, Pandan or Batu.

Maria, who is looking to stand in an urban seat as an independent candidate under the Pakatan Harapan banner, had previously stated that she has no intention of joining any of the coalition’s component parties.

PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin said earlier today that she hoped Maria would join the party, but noted that it is open to the possibility of her contesting under a PKR ticket but remaining independent.

Zuraida also said that the party can only decide on where to place Maria after the Election Commission completes its redelineation exercise.

However, Saifuddin clarified today that PKR cannot offer Maria a seat without her signing up as a member.

"It's important for PKR's candidates to be party members, only then comes the responsibility and accountability," he said.

Saifuddin also stated that Maria would bring more value to Harapan if she wins a new seat for opposition coalition, instead of displacing an incumbent.

He added that PKR would only stand in more than 70 parliamentary seats in the coming election, as opposed to the 99 it contested in 2013.