Pandemonium erupted at two polling stations in the Gombak parliamentary constituency when 'hundreds' of voters found their names missing from the list and Election Commission (EC) officers could not be located.

Voter Abdul Rahim Abdul Hamid, who contacted malaysiakini , said "hundreds of people" were stranded at SK Seri Gombak.

"The EC officers are missing too. Not a single officer is around. The situation is tense as people are very angry," he added.

According to him, there were more than 200 voters waiting at the polling station since before 8am.

Explaining the problem, he said the EC had split the voters' list for two polling stations - the school and a multi purpose hall located nearby - but voters could not find their names on either list.

He added that most of the frustrated voters have left.

Contacted later, a police officer at the scene confirmed the absence of EC officers.

"We have contacted the Gombak EC officer and are waiting for them. The problem is there is no one to assist the voters and people are already getting very restless," he said.

Postpone voting

Meanwhile, another voter from Taman Greenwood also complained that EC officers were missing from the polling station located in the multi-purpose hall.

"The people are checking the names themselves at the EC booth outside the station because there is no EC officer to assist them.

"The voters are demanding that the EC holds the polling for Gombak tomorrow due to the problem. People are suspecting foul play because they (Barisan Nasional) know this is an opposition area," he added.

The voter, who requested anonymity, said some of those who have waited for hours were in tears because they could not vote.

Barisan Nasional incumbent Dr Raman Ismail is being challenged by PAS' Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli. The former won the seat in 1999 with a slim majority of 803 votes.

Commenting on the fiasco, Salahuddin Nasir - the representative for PAS incumbent for the Gombak Setia state seat Ismail Kamus - said polling for this constituency should also be postponed.