Deputy Election Commission (EC) chairperson Wan Ahmad Wan Omar has lodged a police report against PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution for claiming that the former was a Umno member.

Wan Ahmad told Malay language Sinar Harian that Saifuddin should apologise for the allegations made a month ago as it has been proven to be false.

“Saifuddin made a libellous statement, what he said was not true. I hope he admits his mistake and asks for forgiveness,” he said.

Earlier on, Wan Ahmad said he did not recall registering as a member of the ruling party but he could have been registered by a friend in the 1980s.

NONE Saifuddin ( right ) had claimed that both Wan Ahmad and EC chairperson Abdul Aziz Yusof had retained their Umno membership even after being appointed to lead the non-partisan commission.

According to Article 114(4)(a) of the constitution, the EC chairperson will be disqualified if he is a member of any registered body three months after his appointment.

Article 114(2) states that EC members must enjoy public confidence while 114(7) states that the EC deputy chief must replace the chairperson if the latter is unable to perform his duties.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz later clarified that Abdul Aziz’ membership had lapsed 30 years ago.

According to Sinar Harian , their investigations revealed that Saifuddin’s claim that Wan Ahmad was an Umno member at the Kuala Bunggor, Pasir Mas branch was false as the membership number belonged to a restaurant owner with the same name.