‘DAP’s special congress violates party constitution’

A former branch vice-chairman claims that nowhere was it mentioned in DAP’s party constitution that party CEC elections can be held in a special congress

(Bernama) – A former DAP branch leader today claimed the party violated its constitution by having the re-election of the party’s central executive committee (CEC) through a special congress on Nov 12.

L Pannerselvam,  who is former Ehsan DAP branch vice-chairman, claimed that nowhere was it mentioned in DAP’s party constitution that party CEC elections can be held in a special congress.

He instead said the party’s constitution specifically stated that a CEC election should be held in a National Party Congress.

“As per the DAP’s constitution, central elections should be held in a national congress with a 10-week prior notice given to branches and delegates.

“If DAP insists to hold fresh polls on Nov 12 in a special congress, they should change their party constitution first,” he told a press conference here today.

Pannerselvam said Clause VIII Article 8 of the party constitution clearly states that a special congress can only be held to discuss party matters, and not to have re-election.

He also claimed that he remained a DAP member despite being sacked by the CEC in 2013 as the panel was not recognised by law.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had announced that fresh polls for the party’s CEC will be held on Nov 12 at Ideal Convention Centre (IDCC), Shah Alam.

The party conducted a re-election in 2013,  after the RoS detected irregularities in its 2012 election.

In July 2017, the Registrar of Societies (RoS) told the party that it had no intention of de-registering DAP but it had to hold a re-election following complaints from some DAP members.

Pannerselvam also urged the DAP leadership to reveal the candidates contesting for the re-election to ensure smooth campaigning and voting process.