PKR has revealed the Umno divisions in which the Election Commission (EC) chairperson and deputy chairperson are registered as members.

In a press statement today, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that EC chief Abdul Aziz Yusof is registered at Umno’s Ampang division, while his deputy Wan Ahmad Wan Omar's is Pasir Mas.

NONE This follows comes PKR allegation yesterday that the top two EC officials are Umno members.

Saifuddin ( left ) made the accusation in an exclusive interview with Malay language daily Sinar Harian published yesterday, where he said the EC’s top two should have terminated their Umno memberships for the sake of being neutral in carrying out their duties.

Claiming to have “solid evidence” to back up his allegations, Saifuddin gave the duo until the end of the yesterday to deny the allegations or he would unveil proof.

The EC chief this morning responded deying any knowledge if and when he had become a Umno member.

Meanwhile his deputy admitted he was a Umno member, but said it took place a long time ago and he could not remember any details.

Both stressed the matter had not impacted their EC duties.

'Both must step down'

Saifuddin is ,however, adamant that the chairman and his deputy must resign from the EC to regain public trust, particularly with the looming 13th general election.

NONE The PKR secretary-general today disclosed Abdul Aziz’s and Wan Ahmad’s Umno membership details as proof.

According to Saifuddin, the EC chief is registered with Ampang Baru branch in Ampang, Selangor.

The deputy chief is a member of Kubang Bunggor branch, Pasir Mas, Kelantan.

Urging them to quit their posts immediately, Saifuddin said: “Public trust is the main requirement to run the EC and its officials have to be impartial and non-partisan. Both of them have failed this test.”

Abdul Aziz took over from Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman as the EC chief at the end of 2008 after the 12th general election in March that year, while Wan Ahmad was appointed deputy in 2007.

Meanwhile, Bernama reports that Wan Ahmad has today denied allegations by the opposition that he is an Umno member.

He said this was a slander deliberately spread by the opposition in an effort to win the support of the people.

“I have not been in Umno since joining the EC on May 1, 1998,” he said via the short messaging service to Bernama today.

EC chief admits he may have been Umno member