Polls fraud: Now there's 'photographic proof'

By B Nantha Kumar - Free Malaysia Today,

PETALING JAYA: Mired in allegations of electoral fraud and phantom voters, embattled PKR Kota Raja division now faces a fresh round of “photographic proof” of malpractice during the recent party polls.
Despite “attacks” by members and media, division chairman and Selangor state exco member Dr Xavier Jayakumar has adamantly denied any malpractice, claiming that the alleged 150 “dubious” names found on the electoral list were a “technical error” .
Yesterday, however, FMT, which broke the news on the phantom voters, received three photographs from the PKR headquarters which appeared to confirm fraudulent manipulation by Jayakumar's camp.
In one of the photographs, Jayakumar's personal assistant, P Sabastine Rao, was clearly seen marking a ballot paper on behalf of an Indian woman.
Rao was also without any identification card that authorised his presence in the polling station. In the photograph, he was only wearing a card that showed him as being on Jayakumar's team.
The PKR central election committee confirmed that Rao was not a designated official on duty in the Kota Raja election.
Meanwhile, a second equally clear photograph placed another of Jayakumar's known “strong man”, Palanisamy, in the polling hall during last Sunday's presidential elections. Palanisamy was photographed “helping” an old man cast his ballot.
The third photograph, however, was a little blurred. This photograph (see below) revealed a person who looked like Jayakumar inside the polling hall during the casting of ballots. The photograph showed him checking the electoral list.
No cleanup
Meanwhile, party insiders described the ongoing vice-presidential race, for which Jayakumar is contesting, as a “sham”, saying that voters in the divisions were being manipulated.
Said one insider: "I am surprised with the current situation in PKR. Almost all divisions have problems.
"PKR leaders are focused on pursuing their dreams at whatever cost. What they want now is positions in the party.
"They would do anything to achieve their dreams."
Citing malpractices in the Kota Raja division, the insider said that despite complaints, the party central council is refusing to act.
"When is (secretary-genaral) Saifuddin (Nasution) going to take action? What else does he want?
"Now we have given them strong evidence of fraud in the election. If PKR is still reluctant to act, then we will not hesitate to get out of this party," said the insider.
The Kota Raja polls last Sunday placed voter turnout at 654, compared to the 1,294 members who had turned up for the divisional polls which saw Jayakumar's controversial win as divisional chief.
PKR members in the division who are allegedly aligned to Zaid Ibrahim are believed to have boycotted the election following his withdrawal from the race for the party's No 2 post. Zaid also confirmed that he was quitting the party in two weeks' time.