PKR polls: Election committee to reveal the 'truth' on vote tampering claim

PETALING JAYA: PKR election committee is investigating a claim of vote tampering allegedly involving a deputy president candidate during party polls in Batang Sadong, Sarawak.

Speaking to reporters at PKR’s headquarters here, chairman Datuk Johari Abdul said the committee would be flying to Sarawak on Monday as the allegation held “merit”.

Solidariti Anak Muda Malaysia (SAMM) founder Badrul Hisham Shaharin had on Sunday claimed that he had photo and video evidence of vote tampering allegedly involving deputy president candidate Azmin Ali.

Badrul, who is also known as Chegubard, urged the election commitee and the Central Leadership Council (MPP) to take stern action by disqualifying Azmin from running in the PKR elections.

Johari, who refused to name any individual involved, said the committee acknowledged that some issues had surfaced during the party polls in Batang Sadong and vowed “to get to the bottom of this”.

He said the polls in Batang Sadong had to be conducted at a budget hotel due to its remote location, adding and that the counting of ballot papers was done at hotel rooms.

“We were made to understand that a group of party workers brought the ballot boxes to the hotel rooms to count the votes.

“However, two MPP candidates, who wanted to witness the vote counting claimed that there was a delay before the workers opened the door.

“Coincidentally, there was a blackout at the hotel, but that’s the truth and not done deliberately.

“That’s why the MPP candidates felt unhappy and accused party workers of vote tempering and vote rigging,” he explained. 

Johari said the election committee would make public of their findings as soon as the investigation is complete.

“I hope Chegubard and his team can wait until we go to Sarawak. We will not hide the truth,” he said.

It was reported that Badrul is aligned to another deputy president candidate Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

The PKR elections are being held nationwide from April 26 to May 11. Election results will be announced on May 13.