PETALING JAYA: Amidst the rising political temperature and the Covid-19 pandemic, Umno is expected to postpone its party elections by up to 18 months, according to a highly-placed party source.

       According to the source, the decision was reached through a resolution made online, as the supreme council has not been able to meet during the movement control order.

       "There is a resolution. I don't have the exact figures, but I think it's sufficient to say that a decision has been made to postpone party polls," the source said, adding that the decision will be finalised at the next supreme council meeting.

       However, it is unsure when this will be, owing to the MCO and high Covid-19 figures.

       "(Once) the meeting is called, the decision (to postpone party polls) can be properly stamped," the source said on Friday (June 25).

       Senior Umno MPs confirmed the decision when contacted but declined to comment further.

       Umno, which has 3.35 million members as of March 26, was due to call party elections last year but this was postponed due to the pandemic, which saw a spike in cases following the Sabah state election in September.

       According to Umno's constitution, the supreme council has the prerogative to postpone party polls by up to 18 months from the date they are due.

       Umno elections are held every three years, with the last one held on June 30, 2018. The current term of Umno's office-bearers is set to expire on June 30.