Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he had expected that his son Mukhriz will not succeed in the contest for the vice-president's post.

The former prime minister said the results showed that UMNO delegates wanted to retain the incumbents.

"I see that the same old faces got elected. I told him (Mukhriz) that he will lose and had a 50-50 chance or less. My prediction came true," he told reporters after attending a prize giving ceremony for Putrajaya Longboat Rowing Championship 2013 here today.

Some 146,500 UMNO delegates from 191 divisions voted according to the Electoral College system to elect three vice-presidents and three candidates with the most votes from delegates get one vote form the division.

Incumbent Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein retained the vice-president's when he beat challenger Mukhriz in a stiff contest.

Defence Minister Hishammuddin got 101 votes while Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz garnered 93 votes.

The other two vice-presidents are Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (188) and Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Shafie Apdal (177).

Asked if the elections results would complicate the transformation of UMNO, Dr Mahathir said the results showed the change expected did not happen.

"I do not know. Some people want to change. Some people want to remain. Physically, it was not successful (transformation). May be the thinking of those elected will undergo rejuvenation," he added.