PKR polls: Zaid leading amidst allegations of phantom voters, irregularities
(The Star) – PKR deputy president candidate Datuk Zaid Ibrahim is leading the race in the north, but his campaigners want the national party polls called off in view of alleged irregularities.
In the nine divisions in Kedah and Kelantan that conducted the polls on Friday, Zaid clinched a total of 577 votes against his closest contender Azmin Ali who secured 374 votes.
The third contender Mustaffa Kamil Ayub garnered a total of 61 votes in the elections held in Tumpat, Kota Bharu, Rantau Panjang, Pengkalan Chepa, Langkawi, Kubang Pasu, Alor Star, Kuala Kedah, and Pokok Sena divisions.
Zaid’s political secretary Rashid Azad Khan said the polls should be called off in view of allegations of irregularities and claims of phantom voters.
“For example, our polling agent reported that the voter turnout in Kubang Pasu was only 84.”
“But the initial vote tally showed that Azmin clinched 80 votes while Zaid garnered 76 votes.”
“Where did the additional 72 votes come from? Could they be phantom voters?’’ he asked.
Rashid also said the agents had reported that there was a 30-minute blackout immediately after balloting ended at 4pm Friday.
“Candidates’ agents were not allowed in, and the ballot boxes were not sealed at the time,’’ he claimed, adding one of the election officer was caught on camera wearing Azmin’s campaign badge raising questions over their impartiality.
Rashid claimed that following complaints, the election monitor decided that the Kubang Pasu result should be a tie of 81-81.
“I am appalled. How can the results simply be amended?’’ he asked
Party election secretary Radin Shamsulkamar Radin Shamsudin denied receiving complaints of such nature.
“However, we will investigate the matter.”
In the race for vice presidency, Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar is leading the race with 494 votes against her closest contenders party election director Fuziah Salleh (467), Penang deputy chief minister Mansor Othman (462), and Tian Chua (430).
A total of 17 candidates are vying the four vice president posts. Among them are N. Gobalakrishnan (304), R. Sivarasa (267), Suresh Kumar (207), and Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian (143).
Ansari Abdullah, who is also the PKR candidate for the Batu Sapi by-election, only managed to clinch 84 votes in the vice presidency race.
Incumbent Wanita chief Zuraida Kamarudin is leading with 178 votes against her contenders Dr Suraya Sudin (98) and disciplinary committee chairman Animah Ferrar (32).
Selangor state executive councillor Rodziah Ismail is leading the Wanita deputy chief race with 192 votes against her sole contender Asmah Abd Kadir (35).
Incumbent Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar is leading by a razor thin nine-vote majority against his contender Badrul Hisham Shaharin aka Chegubard. Shamsul garnered 136 votes against Badrul’s 127.
In the deputy youth chief race, Khairul Anwar is way ahead with 193 votes against Chang Lih Kang (54).
