KINIGUIDE | The PKR party elections are underway, with nominations coming to a close and polling set to start in the middle of September.

Unlike most party elections in the country where only delegates vote, in PKR, everyone gets to cast a ballot.

With almost 800,000 members eligible to vote, the sheer logistics involved in facilitating the PKR elections also makes it the most complex party polls in the country.

PKR last held its elections in 2014. This year's polls will mark the first time the party is using an e-voting system.

This Kiniguide takes you through the election process, step by step.

Who can contest in the PKR elections?

The elections are open to all members who have been with the party for more than a year.

The PKR elections committee, however, told Malaysiakini that exceptions can be made, such as in the event of a division being inactive, or with a sudden influx of new members.

All exceptions must be approved by the party president.

How many positions are up for grabs at the national level?

Besides the president and deputy president posts, there are four vice-president positions, and 20 spots on the party's supreme council to be contested.

For the 2018 polls, Anwar Ibrahim has already won the PKR presidency unopposed.

Who can vote?

All PKR members who joined the party by June 26 can vote in the 2018 polls.

Each member can vote for both their respective division and national leaders. Women and youths under 35 also get to vote for their respective wings.

The PKR elections committee said women under 35 get to cast the most ballots, as they can vote for women, youth, and central positions at both the division and national levels.

When is polling day?

Polling dates differ by state, starting with Kelantan and Terengganu (Sept 14); followed by Negeri Sembilan, Malacca and Pahang (Sept 15); Federal Territories (Sept 17); Penang and Kedah (Sept 22); Selangor (Sept 23); Johor (Sept 30); Sarawak (Oct 6); and Sabah (Oct 13).

How does the e-voting process work?

Members are required to turn up at polling stations on their respective state's polling day.

Once their membership has been verified by the election committee, a unique barcode will be printed out.

This barcode will then be scanned by a tablet, which members will use to cast their votes for the various positions being contested.

After selecting their candidates, voters get a chance to review their choices before submitting their votes.

The results will then be automatically tabulated. Division-level results will be announced after the end of polling day, while national results will be announced at a later date prior to the PKR national congress in November.

What if there's no internet connection?

E-voting is not the same as online voting, as members must be physically present at the polling centre in the former.

PKR election committee director Rashid Din told Malaysiakini that an active internet connection is not required, as the system can run offline. 

The results will be uploaded to the central system once an internet connection is established.

Who developed the e-voting system?

The e-voting system was developed by an undisclosed independent third-party developer that was chosen by PKR's supreme council from among several firms that were initially engaged.

The committee is also procuring 600 tablets to facilitate the election.

Can the e-voting results be manipulated?

The PKR election committee said the results of the elections will be audited by an independent firm that has yet to be disclosed.

The committee also said that no one from the party will have access to the e-voting system results except the system developer and the auditor.

They add that as the system cannot be searched for online, it adds a layer of security against hacking. 

The PKR election committee also hopes that the e-voting system will make it harder for national level results to be leaked and influence votes in other states.

Is PKR the first party to implement e-voting?

No. PAS used e-voting during its last party election in 2017.

What happens if there is a tie?

The PKR election guidelines state that in the event of a tie, the victor will be decided by drawing ballots.

Rashid said that while ties are unlikely to happen, it has occurred on the division level on a few occasions.

This Kiniguide was prepared by ZIKRI KAMARULZAMAN.