Newly appointed Election Commission chief Abdul Aziz Yusof has refused to state the reason for the shocked resignation of Kuala Terengganu by-election returning officer Mat Razali Kassim.

At a press conference in Kuala Terengganu today, Abdul Aziz confirmed that the EC received a written complaint from PAS but denied it was the sole reason for Mat Razali’s resignation.

abdul aziz mohd yusof “Not (just) because of PAS. We received phone calls, SMS and letters,” said Abdul Aziz ( right ), adding that the EC conducted an investigation. However, he declined to reveal its findings.

“As a RO (returning officer), you have ethics. You cannot be biased. You must be neutral and impartial,” he said when asked about the basis of the investigations.

Abdul Aziz stressed that Mat Razali had submitted his resignation voluntarily yesterday morning and it was accepted by the EC during a commission meeting.

“Sometimes you know yourself better than others,” said Abdul Aziz when asked if Mat Razali had specified any wrongdoing in his resignation letter.

EC deputy chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar said any complaints against an electoral officer can be redressed through an election petition after polling.

“As for the ex-RO, the case is closed because he has resigned,” said Wan Ahmad.

In a statement last night, the EC said that it had accepted Mat Razali’s resignation. He would be replaced by his deputy Wan Mustafa Hassan.

By accepting Razali's resignation, the EC has avoided a potential court challenge after the polls.

PAS still upset

mat razali kassim Yesterday morning, PAS had accused Mat Razali ( left ), who is also Kuala Terengganu mayor, of threatening civil servants into voting for Barisan Nasional candidate Wan Ahmad Farid Salleh.

Terengganu PAS chief Mustafa Ali claimed that Mat Razali did so during a lecture at the Tunku AbduL Rahman hall to about 590 Kuala Terengganu City Council (MBKT) staff on Jan 14.

Subsequently, Terengganu PKR Youth chief Mohd Fariz Musa lodged a police report against Mat Razali based on the incident alleging that the mayor said, “If you are brave and not afraid to lose your job, go ahead (and vote the opposition)”.

At a separate press conference today, Mustafa criticised the appointment of Wan Mustafa, who is also city council secretary, as the new RO.

He accused Wan Mustafa of being responsible for scheduling Mat Razali’s appointments, which were allegedly used to influence voters who are civil servants.

However, Mustafa said that PAS would still contest in the by-election as the party believes it has enough public support to negate any irregularities in the poll.

Abdul Aziz also said the EC expected 90 percent of the 80,299 registered voters in Kuala Terengganu to cast their ballots tomorrow.

All campaigning must end at 12 midnight tonight. Polling will be between 8am and 5pm tomorrow. The result of the by-election is expected to be announced by 10.30pm at the latest.

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