Speculation as to whether Lembah Pantai parliamentarian and division chief Nurul Izzah Anwar will contest the PKR deputy presidency was put to rest today with the party Election Committee  confirming that she did not garner enough nominations to qualify.

According to election administrator Raden Shamsulkamar Raden Shamsudin, all divisions had to officially submit their nominations by last Sunday.

Only 160 of the total 205 divisions met that deadline, with 10 divisions failing to hold their annual general meetings and 35 divisions submitting their nominations after the closing date, Oct 10.

nurul izzah going for veep 230910 01 None of the 35 divisions that missed the deadline nominated candidates who had not yet qualified, including Nurul Izzah ( right ), he said when contacted by Malaysiakini today.

"This is something that we gave special attention to. I don't know how some people got the idea that (Nurul Izzah) received three or four nominations.

"We even checked with her and she too did not know," he said.

It is understood that the Election Committee will make an official statement soon about the 35 divisions who did not make the Oct 10 deadline. Furthermore, all nominations for central posts must be accepted by Oct 16.

The spotlight fell on the first-time parliamentarian when deputy president hopeful Zaid Ibrahim last week announced that he was willing to back ou t if she joined the race.

At the press conference, Zaid said that Nurul Izzah had received three nominations, when she only needed two to qualify.

What would Zaid do?

Met at the Parliament lobby today, the first-born of party de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said that she would wait for the official announcement from the PKR headquarters before making any decision.

She also shrugged off Zaid's declaration of support.

NONE "Zaid ( left ) can say whatever he wants, but I can only base my decision on the official announcement from the headquarters on the eligible candidates," she said.

Nurul Izzah, who is also Federal Territories vice-chief, has already expressed interest in the vice-president's post, for which she is said to have received more than 30 nominations.

With the Nurul Izzah poser out of the way, all eyes are back on Zaid to see whether he will stay in the heated race.

Pundits see his offer to the younger politician as a signal that he is keen to challenge much-supported incumbent president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail for the top post.

At the same time, the PKR Federal Territories chief who has received about a third of nominations for deputy president, had earlier said that he would step out of the race if Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim was also interested.

He has since hinted that he would not honour his word, saying that the situation has changed, while those close to him feel it is unlikely but remain cautious due to his increasing unpredictability.

Tian Chua unaware

Meanwhile, party strategic director Tian Chua said he was unaware of his appointment by Khalid as one of four advisers to guide the Selangor menteri besar on whether or not he should pursue the deputy presidency.

NONE Tian Chua ( left ) said Khalid had not informed him of his appointment as the former had just returned from overseas, but noted that he was not angry as it only showed that Khalid respected his opinion.

"I will talk to Khalid about this," the Batu MP said when met in the Parliament lobby.

When announcing his intention to contest, the MB pointed out that his final decision on whether to enter the race or not would depend on the advise of a four-member special committee.

The committee consists of MTUC president and Selangor PKR deputy chief Syed Shahir Syed Mahamud, Tenaganita president Irene Fernandez, party religious understanding bureau chief Dr Muhamad Nur Manuty and Chua.

Chua also has enough nominations to contest for deputy presidency but is believed to be leaning heavily towards the vice president post.

Additional reporting by Jimadie Shah Othman