KUALA LUMPUR: PKR party polls begin today with 76 positions being contested at the central level and 10,212 at the divisional level nationwide.
This is the party's first election since it defeated Barisan Nasional in the 14th general election and formed the Pakatan Harapan government.
It will also be the first polls utilising an electronic voting system or "e-voting" based on a “one member one vote policy” which allows all members to cast votes for the party leadership.
Approximately 800,000 members are eligible to vote.
The internal election is held every four years and in stages – the first round this year commences in Kedah and Penang today, where 105,056 party members will vote for their respective division's leaderships, as well as the top office bearers in the central leadership council.
In Kedah, 49,924 members are eligible to vote in 15 divisions; while 55,132 will vote in 13 divisions in Penang.
Posts being voted for in the central leadership council are deputy president, vice-presidents, Youth chief, Women chief and council members.
At the divisional level, members will pick their respective division head, deputy, vice-chief and 15 committee members.
At the same time, the divisions will vote for their respective Youth and Women chiefs, divisional wing deputy, vice-chiefs and 15 committee members.
PKR central election committee chairman Datuk Rashid Din said voting will begin at 9am and end at 5pm.
"We expect the result to be out by 6pm and displayed at the voting centres of each division (as soon as they are available).
"The latest results will be published on our website www.pemilihankeadilan2018.com," Rashid said when contacted yesterday.
He advised PKR members to bring their MyKad along when voting, and to complete payment for their membership fees to ensure voting eligibility.
"Those who have yet to pay their membership fee can do so at the voting centres," he added.
After Kedah and Penang, the second round of polling will take place in Perak and Perlis on Sept 23; Johor on Sept 30; Kelantan and Terengganu on Oct 5; Pahang on Oct 6; the Federal Territory on Oct 7; Selangor on Oct 13, 14 and 21; Negri Sembilan and Melaka on Oct 20; Sarawak on Oct 20 and 21; and Sabah on Oct 27 and 28.
On Aug 5, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was regarded as the party's de facto leader, won the president's post unopposed.
Now, all eyes will be on the contest between deputy president incumbent Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, who is also Economic Affairs Minister; and former Pandan lawmaker Rafizi Ramli.
The four vice-president posts will see a heated battle between 12 candidates.
Incumbents defending their vice-presidency are Permatang Pauh Member of Parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar; Hang Tuah Jaya MP Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin; Kuala Langat MP Dr A. Xavier Jeyakumar; and former Batu MP Tian Chua.
Contenders for the posts are Selayang MP William Leong Jee Keen; Puchong PKR member Michael Tamil; Sungai Petani MP Datuk Johari Abdul; Sungai Siput MP S. Kesavan; PKR Padang Serai MP Prof Datuk Dr G Balasubramaniam; Tapah PKR member Vasantha Kumar; and Ampang MP Zuraida Kamarudin.
Meanwhile, 20 vacancies in the leadership council are being contested by 86 candidates.
As for the party's Women wing chief post, Kuantan MP Dr Fuziah Salleg will be locking horns with Lembah Jaya assemblyman Haniza Mohamed Talha.
Lastly, the post of Youth chief is being contested by Johor Baru MP Akmal Nasir, Kota Anggerik assemblyman Mohd Najwan Halimi and Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin.