In breaking with tradition, the banking sector union's long-awaited polls next month will see the casting of votes preceding the triennial general meeting, where the results will be announced. It has always been the other way around.

Casting aside concerns over the constitutionality of the whole process, Director-General of Trades Union (DGTU) Mohd Zubir Mohd Basri today said it was necessary given the extraordinary circumstances.

"It's not that I don't want to follow the NUBE constitution but this is not normal circumstances. I have to do it this way to avoid problems," he said when contacted in Putrajaya today.

"There could be more than two factions now, with the elections so close."

Since Wednesday, NUBE members have been protesting the reversed agenda which puts the balloting between 8am-3pm followed by the TGM at 8pm.

Some were even told to request for postal ballots when asked for remedial action.

Those in Kuala Lumpur were more upset that both were being held at venues far from each other.

They also fear the possibility of the election results being challenged later on if the procedures are not followed, such as the appointment of scrutineers and tellers at the TGM before balloting begins.

Unusual circumstances

Asked on this, Mohd Zubir said officials from his department and the Human Resources Ministry will be appointed as scrutineers.

"I have to do this because these are unusual circumstances. It would be impractical to appoint the scrutineers during a TGM because the factions would be clamouring to get their own people in. It won't be neutral.

"But this matter is still being discussed at the departmental level," he said, adding that he will do his best to conduct the elections in a free and fair manner.

On complaints of discrepancies in the membership list displayed at selected Human Resources Ministry agencies, the DGTU said it was a verification exercise and not the final voter list.

Mohd Zubir said he has also been receiving calls from NUBE members unhappy over the incomplete list, which includes missing and misplaced names.

"The members must cooperate with me on this matter. They must show some consideration and not jump to conclusions that everything we do is wrong. Everything cannot be perfect.

"The displayed list is only to verify who is eligible to vote based on their membership status at the material time as at Oct 29, 2001," he said.

Mohd Zubir attributed the problems to a "possible miscommunication" or handling of enquiries "without proper instructions".

"Earlier today, a member called me to complain about a missing name. I asked him to fax the relevant documents to me and said I'll personally look into the matter.

Not exhaustive list

"I know of these problems because the membership list draws from banks' last check-off records in October 2001 and a hard copy from the union office. We couldn't get the exact list," he said, conceding that the list was incomplete due to the manual data entry.

"In addition, members can also get a letter from their respective banks certifying their membership status as required."

Referring to the membership list, Mohd Zubir said it was not an exhaustive list for the elections.

"We expect the final list to be ready for printing sometime next week. There is a lot more work to be done before then."

Those facing verification problems are invited to call the DGTU or department officials and fax over a copy of their identity card, membership number and payslip for either August, September or October 2001.

Members can contact the ministry's general line at 03-88865400 or ask for Zuraini Abu Kassim at 03-88865474 and Usha Rani at 03-88865473. The department's fax number is 03-88892429.