KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (Bernama) -- Gerakan branch and divisional elections will begin next month, party secretary-general Chia Kwang Chye said Wednesday.

He said 1,428 branches would hold their nominations and elections from April 1 to May 31, while elections for the 145 divisions are from June 1 to 30.

A total of 904 Youth and 990 Wanita wings will hold their elections from April 1 to May 31, while polling for the 91 Youth and 120 Wanita divisions will be held from June 1 to 30, he said.

The Gerakan Constitution states that branch and divisional elections must be held every two years, while state and national leadership elections every three years.

The party concluded its state and national polls last year, said Chia, who is also Gerakan national election steering committee chairman.

He said the election steering committee would organise roadshows and briefing sessions in every state beginning Friday.

State, division and branch leaders would brief grassroots leaders on the conduct of the polls, he said.

Under the Gerakan Constitution, divisions and branches must issue a notice 14 days before the election date, said Chia, who is also Deputy Information Minister.

"We will be sending out the branch voting list to the state offices from Friday," he added.