Despite irregularities PKR claims elections are a success

PETALING JAYA: Despite the chaos of the PKR elections, especially in Selangor, the party’s elections chairman Datuk Johari Abdul has deemed it as “a success”.

In a press conference held at the party headquarters yesterday, Johari played down the reports of the irregularaties which led to the elections at 27 out of 198 divisions to be suspended.

He said the participation from the candidates and voter turnout was higher than the last party election in 2010.

“Yes, it is (a success), because firstly, the number of candidates has increased. That is my benchmark,” he said, adding that 10,000 members are contesting for various positions in PKR. Polling began on April 26.

For Selangor, he said polling at 10 divisions in Selangor was suspended due to non-compliance to disciplinary guidelines. He did not state the reasons why they were suspended and played down the allegations of irregularities and problems.

Among the allegations that cropped up involved vote-rigging, money politics, sabotage, shortage of ballot papers, blackouts and fights.

Despite the chaotic situation, Johari maintained that the elections were handled professionally.

“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.

Johari said the party might hold fresh elections in stages for the 27 divisions as PKR has until November to evaluate and sort out the complaints.

To a question, Johari said the committee has yet to receive any complaint on alleged vote-buying by deputy president candidate Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim in the Kuala Selangor division election.

Khalid, who is Selangor Mentri Besar, was accused of vote-buying by former Kapar MP S. Manikavasagam, who claimed that he has audio recordings alleging that an officer aligned to Khalid was paying people RM50 each for votes.

PKR disciplinary committee chairman Abdul Malek Hussein said nearly 100 candidates risked being disqualified based on complaints lodged against them.

In another development, supporters of Khalid and deputy president candidates Azmin Ali have demanded Johari’s resignation following the elections fiasco.

An Azmin supporter said both Johari and deputy elections committee chairman Datin Tan Yee Kew should resign from their posts.

A source close to Azmin’s camp said that there would be “serious implications” if allegations of election fraud are not settled immediately.

He said that some members might raise this with the Registrar of Societies.

Johari could not be contacted for comments.

In George Town, Azmin urged the committee to be objective in its probe into the fiasco in Selangor party elections.

“Stern action must be taken if there is concrete evidence against those found guilty,” he said after launching the PKR operations centre in Jalan Bingham yesterday.