Nurul Izzah questions ballot order in PKR polls
By Boo Su-Lyn, The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — PKR vice-presidential contender Nurul Izzah Anwar questioned today the change in the order in which the names of the party vice-presidential candidates appear on the ballot papers two days before the party national leadership elections.
She warned that the change, which was announced by the party headquarters yesterday, could cause logistical problems as almost one-third of the members was set to cast their votes starting tomorrow.
“The timing of the announcement, which was done two days before party members come out to vote for the central leadership council candidates, may possibly create logistical problems, although I’m confident we can overcome this,” said Nurul Izzah in a statement today.
“I was informed that the party headquarters announced a new list on October 27 where there was a change in the order by which the names of the vice-presidential candidates appear on the ballot papers,” she added.
She said 69 divisions would begin voting tomorrow.
“From October 29 till 31, party members from 69 divisions will come out to vote, and this comprises almost one-third of the registered party divisions,” she said.
The Lembah Pantai MP stressed that it was crucial to be fair to all candidates as some of them had likely used the original list of contenders, which was released on October 24, in their campaigns.
“The question is, wasn’t the first list the final list? If it wasn’t, who was responsible in publishing it?” asked Nurul Izzah.
“That list was certainly used by candidates in their campaigns, and we have to be fair to all candidates who are participating in this 2010 Election,” she said.
Nurul Izzah is currently in the running for a vice-president’s post together with 26 other qualified candidates.
PKR has had a rough run in its first-ever direct party elections as some candidates have accused the party of vote rigging and fraud on the divisional polls level amid violence at some divisional elections.
Since divisional elections began on September 17, 13 divisions have been forced to postpone their meetings.
