THE Registrar of Societies (ROS) has given the nod to Umno to amend its constitution to allow party elections to be held no later than six months after the 15th general election (GE15). 

Party secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said the approval from ROS to make changes to the Umno constitution was granted today. 

“ROS had also requested the party hold its polls within a single parliamentary term. 

“This means that the party elections for this term would only be done no more than six months after GE15,” he posted on Facebook. 

Umno was seeking a quick reply from ROS so that preparations for the party’s annual general assembly can take off. 

Earlier, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan said the party had officially written to ROS with the hope of getting a firm answer before Sunday to ensure Umno can manage its affairs if it is not approved.

“We are not pushing but we need an answer before July 31, but since it falls on a weekend, if possible we want the letter by today.

“We are saying this because regardless of yes or no, we need to start making preparations. If not approved, party elections must be held this year because the 18-month period will expire at the end of the year,” he said. 

Previously, Umno had approved an amendment to the party’s constitution allowing party elections to be held no later than six months after the general election, to enable members to focus on the polls.

Umno has been pressuring Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is also party vice-president, to call for an election soon.

The current parliamentary term ends next July. – July 29, 2022.