The DAP wants a "full, satisfactory and separate explanations" from the Election Commission (EC), Umno and PAS on the overturning of the Pasir Puteh parliamentary result handing the seat to Umno.

Party chairperson and Ipoh Timur MP Lim Kit Siang said the fact that PAS had conceded victory to Umno "stinks to high heaven" and that the parties should explain themselves to "dispel widespread public feeling".

He criticised the move as "part of a secret dishonourable deal against open, honest and principled democratic principles".

PAS' Kalthom Othman won the Pasir Puteh parliamentary seat in the March 21 general election by a 3,810-vote majority against Umno's Che Min Che Ahmad.

Lim said the news of the overturning of the result due to a "genuine mistake" three days ago had come as a shock.

"But since then, neither the EC, Umno nor PAS have offered any satisfactory nor convincing explanation as to how such a mistake could have occurred," he said in a statement.

Citing his 38 years' involvement in electoral politics, the DAP stalwart said he was mystified over the episode, including the election court's reversal of the result with the unanimous consent of the parties concerned.

He said that the EC must explain why it could not deliver on its pre-2004 general election promise of conducting the most efficient and professional polls in the country's 46-year history.

Umno's silence

He also questioned Umno for remaining silent for three months despite the wrong announcement.

"Why did Che Min or his agent agree to the 'wrong' election totals before the returning officer announced the results?

"Furthermore, Malaysians are entitled to know why there was no immediate protest about the mistake at the first available opportunity."

Lim said PAS must also explain the truth in Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Aziz Nik Mat's public statement on having known about the mistake all along.

He also questioned the failure of the PAS candidate and leadership of not owning up to the mistake earlier, and Kalthom's conduct in taking her oath of office as MP on May 17 when she knew of the error.