AKMAL Nasir, of team Rafizi Ramli, is currently ahead of his two rivals in the election for the PKR Youth chief’s post.

It is the first time a Rafizi man has taken the lead, albeit by only 66 votes, over his closest rival, Dr Afif Bahardin, of team Mohamed Azmin Ali.

The unofficial tally is 12,000 votes for Akmal and 11,934 for Dr Afif, party sources told The Malaysian Insight.

The third and non-aligned candidate, Najwan Halimi, is trailing behind, with 2,620 votes.

PKR sources said Akmal won in Kelantan, Negri Sembilan, Terengganu, Perlis and Perak.

Dr Afif, who is Seberang Jaya assemblyman, won in Pahang, Malacca, Penang, Johor, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Kedah.

He had been in front since elections for PKR office-bearers began on September 22.

Leadership positions are being bitterly fought over by rival camps aligned with incumbent deputy president Azmin and vice-president Rafizi.

The campaign has been spiced up by claims of money politics, allegations of sabotage to the e-voting system and accusations that Azmin is out to prevent PKR president-elect Anwar Ibrahim from becoming prime minister.

Akmal, who is Johor Baru MP, said he is now focused on winning over party members in Sabah and Sarawak – the only two states yet to vote.

“I am grateful for the support and team spirit of Reformasi Youth in lifting and leading young people across the country.

“My victory in the peninsula is also a clear sign that young people will not bow easily to inducements, power and pressure,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, in the battle for the Youth deputy chief’s post, Dr Afif’s running mate, Hilman Idham, has chalked up 14,599 votes, nearly twice the 7,372 votes accrued by Raymond Ahuar of team Rafizi. Naqiuddin Nazri has managed 2,740 votes.

In the Wanita wing, Azmin’s allies are also trouncing Rafizi’s, with Haniza Talha leading the race for the top post with 20,190 votes to Fuziah Salleh’s 17,190.

For the deputy’s post, Haniza’s running mate, Dr Daroyah Alwi, has 19,617 votes to Rodziah Ismail’s 15,854.

Sabah will vote this weekend, and Sarawak on November 10.

Several branches have to hold a re-poll following technical problems with the e-voting system. – November 1, 2018.