PKR polls: Elections at 27 divisions suspended due to irregularities

PETALING JAYA: PKR has suspended party polls indefinitely in 27 divisions nationwide due to irregularities and discrepancies. 

Election Committee chairman Datuk Johari Abdul said on Monday that PKR was not in a rush to hold a re-election, as the party had until November to evaluate the complaints and sort out the issues. 

"We are in no hurry to do it. We might do it in stages because we will have more manpower in each division to manage the polling," he said. 

Johari said that the polling at 10 divisions in Selangor was forced to be called off due to non-compliance to disciplinary guidelines. 

The divisions are Hulu Langat, Sabak Bernam, Sungai Besar, Subang, Klang, Selayang, Kota Raja, Kuala Selangor, Hulu Selangor and Kapar. 

Previously, it was reported that polls in 17 divisions nationwide were suspended due to various problems during the voting process. 

Although Johari did not divulge any specific reasons, it was reported that there were allegations of sabotage and lack of transparency. 

He, however, declared the election a 'success' as the voter turnout and candidacy participation was higher compared to the previous party election in 2010. 

"It is (a success), because firstly, the number of candidates has increased, that is my benchmark," he told a press conference at PKR headquarters here. 

He maintained that the election was handled professionally, as they did anticipate complications. 

"It is a challenge for us, considering the high voter turnout. We are not perfect, and we have a lot of room for improvement," he said, describing the election as "amazing". 

"Wow, it is amazing. I think next time around, when we hit 1 million members, we might have 25,000 candidates contesting for positions," he said. 

There are close to 500,000 PKR members nationwide and about 10,000 members are contesting for various positions. 

To a question, Johari said the committee has yet to receive any complaints on alleged vote buying by deputy president candidate Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim. 

"So far, we have not received any specific complaints on Khalid on the election. If there are any, we welcome it," he said.