PKR is sorting out doubtful and missing votes in its just-concluded party elections today, said Zuraida Kamaruddin.

The outgoing Wanita chief said the process will take 24 hours.

“By then (tomorrow), we should be able to confirm all the results,” she told reporters after a working visit to Penang Port’s Northern Butterworth Container Terminal this morning.

The PKR political bureau, of which Zuraida is a member, met to discuss the controversial party polls last night.

It ordered the party’s central election committee (JPP) to immediately resolve the issue of thousands of suspicious votes in some divisions by calling representatives of the two deputy president candidates to observe the process.

It was reported that there are some 7,500 such votes, and that JPP deputy chairman Dr Adman Hedra said 90% were cast by non-members.

The PKR elections this year saw a fierce fight for the No. 2 post between incumbent Mohamed Azmin Ali and Rafizi Ramli. Unofficial results have shown that Azmin is set to defend the deputy presidency.

The polls had been plagued by problems since they kicked off in Kedah and Penang in September.

PKR introduced electronic voting for the first time this year, but the process was marred by technical glitches and poor internet connection, as well as hacking claims. Revoting had to be conducted in several states.

There were also claims of irregularities in the party membership and electoral rolls, such as in Sarawak’s Julau division, which saw a membership surge from 600 to 13,000 in June itself.

PKR had allowed new members to vote this time around, whereas in the past, only those who had been with the party for at least a year were eligible to cast their ballots.

Last night’s political bureau meeting decided to accept the results in Julau.

Zuraida, who is vying for one of the four vice-presidents’ posts, said delegates at this weekend’s PKR national congress are expected to raise issues on the voting process.

“Definitely, our members will want to discuss this. It is the first time we voted using the new system. Surely, there were shortcomings.

“The party is committed to re-evaluating the system, so that we can hold our next internal polls properly.”

The housing and local government minister said PKR will rise above this year’s elections, which caused a split in the party between the warring Azmin and Rafizi factions.

“This is normal for PKR. Each time after we finish our elections, we come together again. Then we repeat… it’s the pattern.

“Don’t worry. We have lived through all that. We will thrive and survive.”

The 13th PKR national congress, themed “Understanding Democracy, Translating Democracy”, will begin with the Youth and Wanita wings’ conferences on Friday, and will see the results of the party polls officially announced this weekend. – November 14, 2018.