Now Mustafa wants 'unfair' PKR polls postponed

By FMT Staff

KUALA LUMPUR; PKR deputy presidential hopeful Mustafa Kamil Ayub has joined his rival Zaid Ibrahim in expressing dissatisfaction over the party elections.

In a statement today, the party vice-president called for the polls to be postponed until all grouses are resolved.

Mustafa and Zaid, the Federal Territories PKR chief, are embroiled in a three-cornered tussle, which also includes vice-president Azmin Ali, for the number two slot.

Azmin, who is said to be party supremo Anwar Ibrahim's preferred choice, is currently leading the pack.

Meanwhile, Mustafa said to ensure the growth of PKR, the party's central election committee should also be suspended until confidence in the election system is restored.

"The election process must be suspended until the party or the new election committee takes proactive action to remedy the flaws. This action is needed as we do not want whatever problems that have cropped-up to recur,” he added.

Mustaffa also said he has completed a memorandum containing proposals on ways to better the election committee and it will be submitted to party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who also oversees the committee.

"The party's good intention to allow each member to vote to pick national leaders will come to naught if the appointed election committee is not effective.

“We don't want our members to be cheated by some for their own political career. We are fighting for justice and the voice of our grassroots members must be given the justice it wants," he added.

'Seen to be taking sides'

Without mincing his words, Mustafa said the election committee has failed to ensure fairness in the election process.

"The party's election process (to pick national leaders) began on Oct 29, however our hope to get a fair electoral process from the election committee is disappointing.

"Although there were a number of objections raised on the election process until today no action has been taken to address the issues,” he said.

"The integrity of the committee is now being questioned by various parties. There have several incidents and clear irregularities in the election process with the committee seen to be unprofessional and taking sides.

“This includes the inconsistency in the announcement of total votes obtained by candidates especially involving the deputy president's post," he added.

PKR became the first political party in the country to introduce the one-member, one vote system where ordinary members are allowed to pick national leaders.

The party is currently conducting its polls to pick national leaders, with polling in three states starting last weekend.

Since the election began, various allegations have been levelled against the party headquarters and the election committee.