The ballot paper for the Kubang Pasu Umno division delegates contest will feature the names of 17 candidates. Topping the list is the party's former president of 22 years Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

In the 10th spot is his son Mukhriz. Both father and son are vying to be among the seven delegates who will be elected to represent the division at November's Umno general assembly in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysiakini learnt that there was a last-minute attempt by certain quarters to persuade Mahathir against contesting.

According to sources, several Kubang Pasu Umno strongmen met with Mahathir yesterday morning to ask the former premier to withdraw his candidacy, but he refused to do so.

Meanwhile, in the selection carried out at the division's headquarters to determine the order of the candidates' names on the ballot paper, Mahathir got pole position while his son took the 10th spot.

Coincidence or good omen?

When contacted, a strong supporter of Mukhriz who declined to be named, wondered aloud whether the number one spot was purely coincidental or a good omen for the former party president.

"We hope Mahathir and his son will emerge victorious with the highest number of votes. They got the best numbers (on the ballot papers) as it will be easy for the delegates (who are voting) to remember the numbers," he added.

Mukhriz will attend today's meeting as a Kubang Pasu Umno division committee member. In the previous division contest in 2004, he had secured the highest number of votes.

Whereas Mahathir, who was the first to join Umno Baru in 1987 - his registration number is 0000001 - will attend the meet as an observer since he is just an ordinary member in the division.

A total of 493 delegates from 138 branches will vote at the meeting which is scheduled to start at 9am at the Dewan Sri Wawasan in Jitra, not far from Mahathir's birthplace.

Emotionally-charged appeal

The division, which is located in Mahathir's home state of Kedah, is now being led by his former political secretary Mohd Johari Bahrum.

On Thursday, Johari made an emotionally-charged appeal to his former boss urging him not to contest.

Political observers have rated Mahathir's chances at 50-50 but are confident that Mukhriz would be able to pull through.

Over the past months, the former premier has been on the offensive against his handpicked successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

He has also accused the current Umno leadership of attempting to muzzle him and prevent him from meeting party members.

Mahathir also claimed that delegates attending today's meeting have been told by the leadership not to vote for him.

However, these allegations have been denied.