AZMIN Ali is leading with 9,337 votes in the PKR polls in the contest for the deputy president’s post in Selangor, according to unofficial results.

The Economic Affairs Minister’s challenger, Rafizi Ramli has garnered 8,562 votes.

The first phase of the polls today involved balloting by nine of the 22 branches.

The branches are Serdang, Subang, Sabak Bernam, Sungai Besar, Hulu Selangor, Kelana Jaya, Kapar, Kota Raja and Sepang.

The state has the highest number of voters with 249,850 people.

Meanwhile, the competition for the chief post of the party’s youth wing, Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) saw Seberang Jaya assemblyman Afif Bahardin leading with 1,876 votes while Akmal Nasir gained 1,725 votes and Najwan Halimi 465.

For the PKR Wanita chief post, Haniza Talha garnered 3,696 votes and Fuziah Salleh 2,746.

Selangor is said to be Azmin’s stronghold as he has been the menteri besar since 2014, before he stepped down to become the Economic Affairs Minister following Pakatan Harapan’s victory in the 14th general election.

However, Rafizi’s growing influence has made it a tough fight for Azmin.

The party’s AMK assistant secretary Syed Badli Shah Syed Osman had reportedly said that all 22 divisions in Selangor had pledged their support for Rafizi.

In the party polls, Azmin has taken Penang and Johor, while Rafizi has won in Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and the Federal Territories.

Due to the huge number of members involved in Selangor, polling for the state had to be done in three phases.

Polling for the remaining 13 divisions – Puchong, Gombak, Petaling Jaya Utara, Petaling Jaya Selatan, Kuala Langat, Klang and Selayang – has been set for October 21, while members of the Tanjong Karang, Kuala Selangor, Ampang, Pandan, Shah Alam and Hulu Langat divisions will cast their ballots on October 28. – October 14, 2018.