A failure to do so could divide the party, which is the lynchpin of Barisan Nasional.
The amendment is to allow the 2021 party elections, already postponed until Dec 30 this year, to be held six months after the next general election.
Umno leaders have been divided about when to hold the party elections, although the party’s general assembly in March had decided to hold them after the general election.
There has been speculation that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s camp in Umno prefers to have party polls held first, as a way for Ismail to replace Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as party president.
Despite the disagreements, the leadership put up a united front when the party, through BN, contested the Melaka and Johor elections in November and March.
Even those in the so-called Cabinet cluster and those seen as being “close” to Bersatu leaders went down to the ground to ensure a BN victory.
Federal Territories Umno Youth information chief Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said there was merit to arguments for having party polls before and after GE15.
“Some believe we are having a good run from several by-elections and state elections, up to the Johor elections: that might be true but whether it’s enough for us to march into GE15 is still debatable.
“Holding the party polls before GE15 also has its own arguments. Some believe we would be divided after the party elections and that will cost us at GE15. It is not an argument that we can simply disregard.”
However all party members understand the risks. This is why today’s extraordinary general meeting is crucial, as it would allow for discussions on the matter.
A total of 2,666 delegates are expected to attend the special general assembly and vote for the constitutional amendments, according to Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan.
If the amendments are not implemented, Umno will have to hold party elections at the end of this year. The last party elections were held in 2018.
Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, who favours a postponement of polls said holding party elections now could create divisions and affect the party’s election preparations.
He is not alone. Other top Umno figures including former prime minister Najib Razak and party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi hold similar views.
Political analyst Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara believes that Umno members would vote in favour of the postponement, to avoid the risk of party splits before GE15.
However, Azmi said the postponement does not come without consequences, especially for party leaders. “Without a doubt, party leaders would be held responsible if the party does poorly in GE15 and they would be accused of being power hungry.”