Anwar: PKR not EC, will not hide electoral frauds

(AFP) – PKR will not move to bury any electoral frauds during its party internal polls, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed today.

The PKR senior leader also insisted that the party will not hesitate to act swiftly on any candidates found of breaching rules, without fear or favour.

“Our orders, as soon as it is made known that there are elements of negligence or fraud, we will immediately investigate or cancel polling,” Anwar told a press conference here.

“We will not compromise. That is our stand, no matter who the candidate is… We are not SPR, we do not hide frauds,” he added, referring to the Elections Commissions by its Malay initials.

Yesterday, PKR played down allegations of vote manipulation and polling delays in seven branches after just two days into the party’s internal polls, with its elections director Datuk Johari Abdul calling it manageable “hiccups.”

PKR’s last party elections in 2010 was mired with allegations of vote fraud and corruption, which led to some leaders leaving the party in protest.

Chief of the complaints after the first weekend of PKR’s party elections are allegations of vote tampering in Batang Sadong, Sarawak where two PKR candidates have accused the party’s agents of tampering with the ballot papers.

Members in seven branches — Setiu, Kuala Nerus, Dungun, Kemaman, Bukit Katil, Paya Besar and Jerantut  — will have to vote again on May 10 as there were “logistical” problems during last weekend’s polling exercise.

Six states — Sarawak, Kedah, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor and Melaka — are done with polling. Polling has been spread out over three weekends ending May 11.

The full results will be announced on May 13.