THE tight race between Mohamed Azmin Ali and Rafizi Ramli for the PKR deputy presidency continues, with 34,892 party members in the Federal Territories voting today.

In Lembah Pantai, the biggest division among FT’s 13, members were seen lining up since 10am to cast their ballots.

Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil, who is vying for a supreme council seat, said the process has so far been smooth, and that he hopes it will continue to be so until 5pm, when the voting period ends.

“The turnout is encouraging, and I hope the high number of votes will enhance the electoral process,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

So far, five states have voted in the PKR elections, namely Penang, Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang. PKR No. 2 Azmin, who is also economic affairs minister, won the first two states, with vice-president Rafizi taking the rest.

In the Pahang polls yesterday, Rafizi won by a mere 85 votes.

The former Pandan MP is said to have a bigger influence than his rival in FT.

PKR members in Malacca, Negri Sembilan, Perlis, Kedah, Perak and Selangor will vote in the coming weeks, with Sabah and Sarawak to wrap up the polls next month.

The official results will be announced at the PKR national congress in mid-November.

A total of 800,000 members will elect their leaders via the e-voting system, in use by the party for the first time.

Anwar Ibrahim has won the presidency uncontested, and will take over the post from his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. – October 7, 2018.