PKR polls in Kuala Selangor have been postponed following poor internet connection for the e-voting system used for members to vote.

The adjournment of the polls in the division was confirmed by Bukit Melawati assemblyperson Juwairiyah Zulkifli, who is contesting to be the division’s chief.

Juwairiyah was disappointed with the technical failure, especially at this stage of the party polls where elections had already been conducted in 10 other states.

“The party election steering committee (JPP) tried to hold the e-voting outside the indoor venue but the internet connection was still very slow.

“When members started making noise, the JPP called in the division leader for discussion as there were already requests for adjournment until the e-voting issues can be sorted out.

“On my side, I tried to help them. The problem is they (JPP) had no back-up to support the internet service. They should have realised such risks and should have had back-up plans,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

The Kuala Selangor division has 13,727 members. Many of them have started queuing at the Kompleks Sukan Kuala Selangor since 9am to vote.

However, with the delays, polling was eventually called off by noon. The JPP will now fix another date for repolling.

PKR election director Rashid Din confirmed the calling off of voting in Kuala Selangor due to “failure of telecommunication signal”.

“All candidates agreed to postpone the elections to another day,” he said.

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 lodged 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.

“You can’t deny the fact that there are so many complaints on the ground,” he had said. – October 28, 2018.