PKR polls: E-voting stays, will be improved — Anwar Ibrahim

PETALING JAYA: The e-voting system will continue to be used for PKR’s polls but with improvements made, said PKR president- elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said based on the voting process at the elections in Penang on Saturday, the system functioned well only that several devices did not function.

“We received a recommendation from PKR’s Elections Committee (JPP) that the e-voting system be maintained… the report on the Penang elections said it functioned well, just that some devices were not operational and this will be improved,” he told a press conference after PKR’s Political Bureau meeting at the party’s headquarters here Tuesday night.

The meeting was chaired by outgoing PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also Deputy Prime Minister.

Anwar also said that security would be beefed up during the polling process to prevent any more untoward incidents.

Anwar said the results of the Penang polls have been accepted, re- elections would be held for Kedah while the new polling dates for Perak and Perlis would be announced later.

As for the other states, there is no change in the dates with the polls for Johor slated for Sunday and Melaka and Negeri Sembilan on Oct 20.

The e-voting system implemented for the first time in Penang and Kedah on Sept 22 drew a lot of flak because of technical glitches during the voting process.

On unruly incidents in the Merbok division and during a JPP media conference in Seberang Jaya, Anwar said two members had been expelled from the party with immediate effect.

“They are banned from getting involved in any party activities... also if any leaders are found to be still defending them, they too will face disciplinary action,” he stressed.

Chairs were flying around at the JPP media conference in Seberang Jaya.

On the Port Dickson by- election, Anwar said Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun, who is also state PKR chief, had been appointed as the election director.

Anwar is the candidate for Pakatan Harapan in the byelection.

Nomination is on Saturday and polling on Oct 13. — Bernama