DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said the party's re-election exercise, pressured by the Registrar of Societies (ROS), would most likely be based on the "old delegates list".

A decision would be made on Thursday when the party's central executive committee (CEC) meets in Kuala Lumpur to iron out details on how to conduct the re-election, he added.

lim guan eng interview 160813 03 However, Lim declined to confirm whether the same candidates, nominated by the delegates last year, would be mixing it up again this time around.

"I do not want to pre-empt anything. Let us meet on Thursday and decide on the matter," said the Penang chief minister in a joint interview with several English language dailies, including Malaysiakini news portal, at his office in Komtar yesterday.

Lim said this when asked whether the delegates would include those  sacked by the party for contesting against a Pakatan Rakyat candidate in the 13th general election and the seven who allegedly brought "ill-repute to the party" with their complaints to the ROS over the validity of the CEC.

Since last year, the party has seen a surge in membership.

There were speculations that the fresh polls would see intense campaigning among new candidates to get into the CEC - the party's highest decision-making body.

Several candidates such as Raub MP Mohd Ariff Sabri, better known as Sakmongkol Ak47, may vie in the polls, and Amran Ahmad, son of former DAP stalwart Ahmad Nor, has also made public his interest to join in the fray.

But much of it remains unclear now, including whether the DAP would hold the fresh polls in Kuala Lumpur or Penang as it did in December last year, during its 16th triennial congress.

At that congress, 1,826 delegates picked 20 CEC members out of 66 candidates who were nominated last year.

Technical glitch

When the results were announced, Lim's political secretary and now Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari did not make it to the CEC list, and was later appointed as assistant publicity secretary.

dap congress counting of ballot election 1 But embarrassed party leaders admitted to a technical glitch two weeks later, with the new results showing Zairil making it to the top 20.

This led to several complaints lodged with the ROS, resulting in its decision to invalidate the CEC, and the party subsequently ordered to hold fresh polls.

Lim was also asked what the party's plans were in the coming party polls to ensure that results are not botched again.

"One thing for sure - to avert a similar crisis from recurring, the re-election would be monitored and certified by independent auditors," he said.

On the party's state elections, which were to be held this year, Lim said it would now be postponed in view of the coming CEC re-election.

Karpal: November polls likely

During a press conference in Ayer Itam, Penang today, DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh said DAP will probably hold the elections in November.

Karpal said the party needs to hold the polls within 10 weeks from the date ROS’ decision was made to known them.

"The party has the timeframe to hold elections, which is in line with the party's directive as notices need to be sent out to inform delegates before the polls," Karpal said.

Meanwhile Zairil in a statement today said he respects the party’s decision to rehold the elections and is prepared for any result.

“I would like to take this opportunity to offer myself again as a candidate for the CEC.

“Whomever the delegates eventually choose, I will accept and abide by the results.

“My only hope is that namely the delegates choose the best candidates based on skills, capabilities and the candidates’ track record.

“Whoever is successful, let this principle be maintained,” he said.

Fresh polls a painful and difficult decision, explains Lim