PKR POLLS | Azmin Ali appears to be on strong footing to defend his position as PKR deputy president after successfully fending off Rafizi Ramli in the critical state of Sabah, according to unofficial results.

The unofficial results in 24 out of 25 divisions in Sabah showed Azmin had secured 10,469 votes to Rafizi's 8,882 votes.

This brings the overall national tally, including the unofficial results from Sabah, to 60,093 votes for Azmin and 56,796 for Rafizi, a 3,297-vote lead.

Sabah had been a critical state for Rafizi if he was to have a realistic chance of unseating Azmin as PKR deputy president.

Rafizi had campaigned aggressively in Sabah but it appeared Azmin was successful in holding his ground.

Sabah had voted over two days. Yesterday, 12 divisions went to the polls but unofficial results were only available for 11 divisions due to issues in the division of Keningau.

Azmin had secured 5,115 votes to Rafizi's 4,770 votes in yesterday's voting.

In the second round of voting today, Azmin secured 5,354 votes to Rafizi's 4,112.

From the voting today, Azmin is expected to win Kudat, Kota Belud, Putatan, Ranau, Beluran, Tenom, Kinabatangan, Silam and Papar.

Meanwhile, Rafizi is expected to win Penampang, Kimanis, Pensiangan and Semporna.

The PKR election committee will only release the interim results later on.

Sabah comprises 18 percent of PKR's total membership, the second largest after Selangor.

With the conclusion of Sabah, except Keningau which results is still in limbo, only around nine percent of votes are left.

Sarawak will go to the polls next weekend as well as Malacca where there will be a repoll.

There will also be a repoll in Labuan, Kuala Selangor and Jelebu.

The battle for the PKR deputy president is not yet over, but Azmin will be entering into the final leg in a more comfortable position compared to Rafizi.