A “blackout” took place during a recent ballot counting process for the ongoing PKR party elections in Sarawak, the party's central election committee (JPP) chairperson Johari Abdul admitted today.

Pictures of ballots being scattered on the floor were widely distributed in the social media yesterday, and Johari said he had received several complaints on this incident, which has made two party presidential council candidates unhappy.

The candidates wanted to see the counting process, which was taking place in a budget hotel, but there was a delay in opening the door after a brief blackout, Johari said.

"Apparently, when the door opened, the candidates saw ballots scattered on the floor," he said.

Johari intends to fly to Sarawak as soon as possible to investigate the matter. He also gave his assurance that he would take action, “regardless of who is involved”.

The “blackout” has sparked allegations about PKR polls fraud, with PKR member Badrul Hisham Shaharin claiming that the incident was caused by members aligned to Azmin Ali, the incumbent deputy president.

Selangorkini reported him as urging Azmin’s withdrawal of his candidacy, after claiming that Azmin’s camp was responsible for a similar incident during the 2010 party elections.

“A report was lodged then but no action was taken. This time there is visual evidence, and the JPP must act,” he reportedly said.

The complaint regarding the incident, according to Badrul, or popularly known as Chegubard, was registered by members aligned to Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, who is contesting the deputy president post against both Azmin and the party’s former secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution.