The Canberra Liberals have opened preselection for Zed Seselja's senate seat.
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Any challengers to Mr Seselja have until November 12 to put their hand up, with a list of valid nominations announced three days later.
The party's management committee sent out a notice to members on Thursday, saying preselection would take place on November 23.
The move has been criticised by former Liberal president Gary Kent, who has previously clashed with Mr Seselja.
He led a push in 2013 to overturn the preselection of the now senator, after Mr Seselja ousted sitting senator Gary Humphries during preselection.
Mr Kent said preselection was opened early to avoid any potential competition, including from Liberal leader Alistair Coe.
"It's unheard of to have the preselection so early," he said.
"There's no reason why it has to happen now."
Mr Kent resigned from the party in 2013, but has recently applied to rejoin.
"The party needs the opportunity to reflect of the disaster on the weekend and the role of the conservative elements within the party," he said.
"[The preselection process] is completely irresponsible and completely disregards the party membership."
The next federal election could be as early as August 2021, however Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week indicated he would not seek to head to the polls before 2022.
Canberra Liberals director Josh Manuatu said a number of other Liberal Party state divisions had also opened preselection for the Senate.
"Given Mr Kent ran against the Liberal Party at the last election, his comments are hardly surprising," he said.
"All Liberal Party members who meet the criteria are eligible to stand for preselection, and to vote in the preselection."
It comes amid ongoing tensions between conservative and moderate factions within the party.
There has been a push for reform of the party, and to install a moderate leader of the ACT Liberals to replace conservative Alistair Coe after his ACT election defeat.
Former Liberal chief minister and senator Gary Humphries this week said the party was destined to spend decades longer in opposition unless conservative forces in the party relinquished control.
Mr Seselja was approached for comment.