EC chief: Go to court if you doubt Anwar’s eligibility

PORT DICKSON: The Election Commission yesterday hit out at those who still questioned Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s eligibility to contest the Port Dickson by-election.

Its chairman, Azhar Azizan Harun, said the commission had clarified the matter repeatedly, and if an investigation was to be carried out, it would take a long time.

He said EC received the nomination paper and letter of pardon by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong from Anwar and accepted them.

“If they are not satisfied, go to the court (and) I’ll let the court decide.

“They should understand that the nomination (process) only takes an hour.

“If we have to investigate, it will take two to three months, or perhaps a year.

“So go to the court and ask the judge.”

Azhar said this after visiting the polling centre at SK Port Dickson here.

He said this in response to a statement by Pas secretary-general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan, who questioned Anwar’s eligibility to contest the parliamentary seat by-election as the PKR president-elect was not given a free pardon by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Takiyuddin said Pas did not deny the full pardon granted by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V to Anwar under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution, but EC failed to interpret the eligibility of the PKR president to contest the by-election.

On Sept 28, a voter in Port Dickson, Noraziah Mohd Sharif, 38, filed an originating summons seeking a court declaration that Anwar was not eligible to contest any parliamentary seat, and on Oct 8, Anwar filed an application to strike out the suit.