KAMUNTING, March 1- Perak UMNO has listed six names of candidates to contest in the Ayer Kuning state by-election.

Its chairman Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the list of names will be handed over to the party president, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for a decision.

The Tapah Division UMNO Committee meeting has initially listed eight names of candidates to contest, before two of them withdrew.

"Yesterday after the briefing ,there was one person (withdrew on) WhatsApp, and this morning there was another. So, the total is still six," he said at a press conference after officiating the opening of the Green Excel Manufacturing Sdn Bhd factory here.

Saarani added that the selection criteria for candidates in this by-election was - winnable, acceptable, and likeable.

The Election Commission is expected to hold a meeting on March 7 regarding the implementation of the Ayer Kuning state by-election.