Election agents acting on behalf of PKR deputy president hopeful Zaid Ibrahim today called for the halt of the party elections following allegations of serious irregularities in four divisions which went to the polls for central posts today.

NONE However, the election committee secretary, Radin Shamsulkamar Radin Shamsudin ( left ), today laughed off the call, saying that the allegations were a complete fabrication.

“I oversaw the whole operation and I will not defend my people for nothing,” he said.

According to Zaid’s election agent Rashid Azad Khan and aide Muhammad Firdaus Christopher, irregularities occurred in four divisions, of which three nominated Zaid for number two.

In their statement, they claimed that ballot papers in Tumpat and Alor Setar had not arrived by 12pm, two hours after polling is supposed to begin.

“Many of the members left for Friday prayers without voting,” they said.

In Langkawi, they alleged that that the ballot papers were late, and member registration was done concurrently, and that new members were allowed to vote.

azlan Refuting this, Radin said that perhaps Zaid’s men had mistaken efforts to update the database as new member registration.

“It is impossible for new members to vote as a we have an electoral roll that has a cut-off date of June 26.

“The divisions do register new members, and are also updating their database, so (Zaid’s agents) are likely mistaken,” he said.

He added that ballot papers in Tumpat had arrived “slightly late” at 9.45am and in Alor Setar as early as 6.20am.

Muhammad Firdaus and Rashid Azad had also claimed that polling did not proceed in Kota Bharu because the ballot papers for the vice-chief post for the Wanita wing were missing.

‘Don’t make unsubstantiated allegations’

“The ballot papers were mistakenly sent to another division in Kelantan but it was sorted out at 11.30am today. It is not true that polling did not take place,” Radin explained.   

Radin urged all parties, especially those from Zaid’s camp, not to make unsubstantiated claims.

“I am requesting Zaid and his people to check the facts first before making allegations that turn out to be untrue,” he said agitatedly.

In their statement, Muhammad Firdaus and Rashid Azad also state that PKR election committee chief Dr Molly Cheah had stated that she is no longer involved in the management of the election process.

When contacted, Cheah explained: “I am in charge of the (election committee) but whether to halt the polling at a division is the decision by the election observer and the secretariat, Radin. The issue of ballot papers is an administrative issue and Radin is the person in charge of that so he is the right person to contact.” 

Meanwhile, polling at the Pasir Mas division has been postponed to next week following protests from residents.

The locals were against the use of a surau as the venue for a political event.   

According to division chief Che Zenab Che Amat, the division is currently scouring the area for a more appropriate venue.

“We informed this to the headquarters last week... the new polling date will be determined on Nov 6,” she said when contacted.

In the latest development, Pokok Sena today placed their confidence in Zaid for the number two post.

Interestingly, Zaid had bagged just 20 votes due to the incredibly low voter turnout. Only 24 out of the 314 members who qualify voted in the polls which took place from 10am to 4pm today.