KUALA LUMPUR: Delegates at Umno's extraordinary general meeting (EGM) have agreed to amend the party's constitution, which will now see party polls held within six months after the conclusion of the next general election.

       The party amended Articles 10.16.1, 15.3 as well as 18.2 of its constitution for this purpose.

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       The amendments were tabled by Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin at the EGM on Sunday (May 15).

       With the amendment to Article 10.16.1, the supreme council can postpone polls at the supreme council, division and branch levels.

       The postponement cannot be for more than 18 months from the supposed date of election or within six months of a general election, whichever is later.

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       The amendment to Article 15.3 now allows the supreme council to postpone party polls for the three Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings, but these must be held within six months after the general election.

       Following the amendment to Article 18.2, polls for branch chiefs, deputies and its 15 committee members can take place after the general election.

       The amendments received unanimous support from the 2,586 delegates present.

       Umno had postponed its party elections for 18 months after the 2018/2021 term ended on June 30 last year, which meant that party elections for the 2021/2023 term must be held before Dec 30 this year.

       However, the Umno general assembly in March agreed to postpone party polls up to six months after GE15 to allow the party to focus on the general election.

       Earlier, secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said Umno had informed the Registrar of Societies of its decision to hold the extraordinary meeting on May 15 to amend the party constitution.