A division leader, who did not wish to be named, said they have submitted Azmawi’s name to the top leadership for consideration.

The source also claimed that they have received former Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s “blessing” after he vetted the three shortlisted candidates.

Tengku Razaleigh is BN’s election director for the Aug 17 by-election.

Apart from Azmawi, who is also Kelantan Umno Youth chief, the others considered were Gua Musang information chief Amran Arifin and its Wanita Umno chief, Nor Fadzlete Aryani Mat Rosli.

“In the end, we (Gua Musang Umno) decided to submit Azmawi’s name to party president (Ahmad) Zahid Hamidi.

“We decided on Azmawi after taking into account his age and the fact that he has gone to the ground to work. The residents are also familiar with him,” the source told FMT.

Kelantan Umno information chief Noor Hariri Noor said despite the division having agreed on Azmawi, the matter has not been finalised.

“We will wait for the president to decide and we will announce the candidate on July 17,” he said.

The Nenggiri state assembly seat was won by Azizi Abu Naim of Perikatan Nasional last year.

It was declared vacant last month by Kelantan state assembly speaker Amar Abdullah after Bersatu reported that Azizi had ceased to be its member.

On Saturday, Tengku Razaleigh, who is also the Gua Musang division chief, said they have shortlisted three young leaders for selection by BN as prospective candidates.