GEORGE TOWN: Chaotic scenes marred Bukit Gelugor PKR division nomination day yesterday when a group of members arrived late to submit their candidature forms. The nomination process was held between 10am and 4pm at Taman Tun Sardon market complex in Gelugor.
The nomination hall door was already closed when the group, allegedly led by the division treasurer Francis Xavier, arrived at the venue to submit nomination papers after 4pm.
Upon seeing the hall door closed, they allegedly kicked, banged and attempted to forcibly opened it, while calling on the returning officer to open the door.
However, the returning officer was unperturbed and stuck to the rules, keeping the door closed.
When the hall door was re-opened about 30 minutes later, the errant members, believed to be associated with the division chairman S Raveentharan, confronted the returning officer to accept their forms.
But the returning officer refused to do so, pointing out that the nomination lengthy six-hour period was over.
However, when Raveentharan, also the Batu Uban assemblyman, called on the PKR national headquarters for clarification, an unidentified official directed the returning officer to receive the forms and submit them to Kuala Lumpur office.
It is learnt that the official told the returning officer that the PKR national election bureau would make the final decision on the controversial issue.
A close fight
Earlier Raveentharan had submitted his nomination papers, together with seven other candidates' forms, at 3.50pm.
Raveentharan, also the party national deputy secretary-general, would defend his post at the division polls scheduled on Sunday Oct 3.
He will face off former Barisan Nasional assemblyman Lim Boo Chang, who joined PKR after the March 2008 general election.
A lawyer by profession, Lim, formerly a Gerakan, then a MCA elected representative, submitted his papers early.
Predicted to be a close fight, the Raveentharan versus Lim contest would be among major battles for divisional supremacy in Penang.
Chaos and fracas were not something new in the division..
During its annual general meeting (AGM) on Sunday Machr 28, tempers flared and a chair was flung forcing the meeting to be postponed.
The AGM will now be held together with the division elections at Taman Tun Sardon market complex.
State PKR secretary Abdul Halim Hussain admitted that he had heard about the incident and said the state leadership would investigate the controversial incident in Bukit Gelugor.
He said he would talk to the returning officer about the incident.He reminded party members to strictly observed the party's election rules and regulations.
“As far as the state is concerned, no nomination papers should be submitted nor accepted after 4pm.
“The shameful incident undermined our efforts to ensure a smooth, proper, free and fair electoral process,” Abdul Halim told FMT, not ruling out of a possible disciplinary on the alleged troublemakers.
Elsewhere smooth
Abdul Halim, who is the state assembly speaker, meanwhile will face businessman Mohd Shukri Ishak for the Balik Pulau division chairman post.
Both submitted their nomination papers in time at the division office in Kongsi, Balik Pulau town yesterday.
The position has been vacant since former chairman Mansor Othman transferred his membership to Permatang Pauh division, headed by party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
Deputy Chief Minister 1 Mansor shifted to be closer with his constituents in his Penanti assembly seat.
Both Abdul Halim and Mohd Shukri are currently Balik Pulau division vice-chairmen.
Abdul Halim said he was offering himself for the position to provide a strong leadership and strengthen PKR's position in Balik Pulau parliamentary, which has traditionally been an Umno stronghold.
In Bayan Baru division, which is sandwiched between Bukit Gelugor and Balik Pulau divisions, Pantai Jerejak assemblyman Sim Tze Tzin will square off with former MIC Bayan Baru division leader M Nyanasegaran for the chairman post.
Like Lim, Nyanasegaran joined PKR after the last general election.
Unlike Bukit Gelugor, the nomination proceeding in Balik Pulau and Bayan Baru took place smoothly. Balik Pulau and Bayan Baru polls are scheduled on Sat Sept 25.
Given to their official state positions, Abdul Halim, Raveentharan and Sim all start as favourites in what are expected to be closely fought contests.
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