Azmin leads PKR no 2 race after first week of party polls

(Malay Mail Online) – Azmin Ali is leading PKR’s heated no.2 race amid allegations of vote fraud, based on an official update from PKR’s party elections committee this morning.

Details on PKR’s website show Azmin having garnered 5,111 votes so far, followed by Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail with 2,322 votes. Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim trails behind with 2,228 votes.

The update reflects voting in six states, namely Sarawak, Kedah, Terengganu, Pahang, Johor and Melaka.

Spread over three weekends, voting will end May 11. Results will be announced on May 13.

Nurul Izzah Anwar is currently leading the PKR vice-presidency race, with 5,610 votes followed by Rafizi Ramli with 5,018 votes and Chua Tian Chang with 4,833 votes. Incumbent vice-president N. Surendran is currently last with only 542 votes.

PKR has played down allegations of vote manipulation and polling delays in seven branches after just two days into the party’s internal polls.

The main complaint after the first weekend of polling revolves around vote tampering in Batang Sadong, Sarawak. Two 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.

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