PKR leaders have been left dumbfounded on how the party’s election steering committee (JPP) could not have foreseen technical problems such as poor internet connectivity, which have hampered the e-voting system in the party polls.

Vice-president candidate Tian Chua said the adjournment of party elections in the Kuala Selangor division today due to poor internet connection was unacceptable.

“If such a technical issue can happen in Selangor, how about the party elections in rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak?

“We have invested so much in the polls and spent thousands of ringgit for the e-voting system.

“The infrastructure in Sabah and Sarawak is not as good as it is here. So, how are we going to conduct the polls there in the coming weeks?” he told The Malaysian Insight when met at the Pandan PKR division.

He said the party’s secretary-general and JPP must take responsibility for the election fiasco.

“I criticise them as it appears they were ill-prepared and failed to foresee all eventualities. They should have been prepared for anything and not waited to react after something has happened.” 

Another PKR leader, Haniza Talha, said the party should revert to the traditional way of voting in Sabah and Sarawak following problems with the e-voting system.

Haniza, who is contesting for the PKR Wanita chief position, said the traditional system was more transparent and allowed for recounts.

“Just stop using this e-voting system. Let’s get back to the old system of members crossing against a name of their choice. It is more transparent.

“The e-voting system is not user-friendly. Our elderly members find it difficult to use this tech-based system. It is unfair to them,” she said.

She also urged the party to relook its membership list as many non-members and new ones were caught voting in the party polls.

Earlier today, voting in the Kuala Selangor division was adjourned following poor internet connection.

PKR election director Rashid Din confirmed the postponement of the vote in Kuala Selangor due to “failure of telecommunication signal”.

Previously, polling in several divisions in Kedah and Malacca were also marred by poor internet connection.

Earlier this week, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali raised concerns after complaints were raised against the e-voting process.

He called on the JPP to investigate all reports and to ensure free and fair polls so that the outcome would be transparent.

Today is the final phase of the PKR elections in Selangor, which has the highest number of members eligible to vote at 249,850.

The last six divisions of the state’s 22 – Tanjong Karang, Kuala Selangor, Ampang, Pandan, Shah Alam and Hulu Langat – with a combined total of 61,000 members, will cast their ballots in Phase Three of the Selangor polls.

After this, the polls will move to Sabah and Sarawak.

The focus of the party polls has thus far been on the contest for the deputy presidency between Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali and former Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli. – October 28, 2018.