Universiti Putra Malaysia’s ‘pro-mahasiswa’ (Pro-M) students’ organisation have called for the university to hold a re-election on the grounds that the university’s e-voting system lacked transparency.

They also called for an overhaul of the university’s campus election process on the basis that the current process contained elements that were “irrelevant” and that restricted the right of candidates to campaign.   

 

In the election carried out about a week ago, UPM’s ‘pro-aspirasi’ government-inclined candidates won 37 seats, while its pro-opposition Pro-M candidates won 11.

Seven out of the 11 winners from the pro-mahasiswa faction, however, were subsequently disqualified for having used social networking platform Facebook for campaigning purposes.

 

In a memorandum on the matter submitted to human rights commission Suhakam on Friday, UPM’s Pro-M chapter requested that an external body monitor the proceedings of the university’s election activities and processes.

“We also wish to record our objections to the (university) committee’s decision to disqualify seven (of our) candidates) who stood for election,” said UPM’s Pro-M chairperson Ahmad Faris Rakbi in a statement.

“Clearly there are grounds to doubt this decision by the committee,” he added.

Ahmad Faris asked that Suhakam investigate the group’s complaint and come up with a written report on the campus election in UPM.