LUMUT, Sept 22 — The Umno election which is seeing several party members offering to contest for various posts at the divisional level in Perak proves that democracy is alive in the party.

Perak Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said several incumbent division chiefs would also be challenged in the upcoming party election.

“The registration of candidates went on smoothly yesterday and I hope the situation will be the same during the election process,” he said after visiting the Kampung Tanjung Batu Cluster Village Scheme in Batu Tiga, Segari, near here, today.

Zambry, who is also the menteri besar, hoped that campaigning would be civil with the candidates showing mutual respect as part of the family spirit in Umno.  He also advised the delegates to choose candidates who were really qualified to represent them.

Following the submission of nomination forms by the prospective candidates yesterday, 16 of the division heads will be challenged in the upcoming Umno election while eight have won unopposed.

The election will see a four-cornered contest in three divisions, three-cornered contest in five and a straight fight in eight for the division chief post. — Bernama