Demote \De*mote"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Demoted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Demoting}.] [Pref. de- + mote, as in promote; cf. L. demovere to remove.] To reduce to a lower grade or rank, as in the military, one's employment, or in school; to assign to a lower position.
They said Dr. Mahathir's political lieutenants might be in a position to screen members during re-registration and perhaps demote or even remove party opponents.