Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal said all Umno divisions have stepped registration of new voters from among party members and the public.

He said the special team was collecting information to ensure that the 'phantom voters' issue did not arise during the general election.

"There are cases where houses which should be occupied by Malays are now occupied by non-Malays.

"As such, we need to check the information received," said Shafie who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister after the ministry's monthly gathering in Bangi, Selangor.

He said the special team was also charged with holding exhibitions to increase public awareness on the importance of registering as voters.

Deputy Prime Minister and Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin lamented that the party was slow in registering new voters compared to the opposition.

The special team at divisional level was set up on the directive of Prime Minister and Umno president Najib Razak.

- Bernama