By Adib Zalkapli (Malaysian Insider)
PETALING JAYA, Aug 10 — PKR leaders contesting in the upcoming party elections are advised against organising open houses to campaign.
PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali said the party’s election committee would monitor the activities to ensure that it do not violate the elections code of ethics.
“No grand ‘kenduri’ but because it is Hari Raya season they can organise open house but don’t talk about their campaign,” Syed Husin told a press conference here.
“The election supervisors will monitor all aspects of the election,” he said. The party had appointed 150 election supervisors to monitor the process.
Meanwhile PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution, who was also at the press conference, warned party leaders not to make personal attacks against fellow party members in their campaign.
“I will use my experience as a former Umno Youth Malaysia secretary to ensure the election is conducted smoothly,” said Saifuddin who was sacked from Umno in 1998.
On the possibility of party leaders resorting to vote buying, Saifuddin said the high number of voters has made it impossible.
“The disciplinary committee would investigate any complain,” he said.
“But I don’t think there will be any. In Hulu Selangor for example we have 6,000 members, can anyone give them a treat or money? I don’t think anyone can afford it,” said Saifuddin.
He also said the election secretariat has strengthened the disciplinary committee in preparation for the party election.
He added that an election code of ethics have also been drawn up to ensure that all members behave well during the campaigning period.
“The code of ethics is not too rigid so it does not insult the maturity of party members,” said Saifuddin.
Some 400,000 PKR members will be voting in the party elections scheduled to be held between September 17 and November 21.
The party amended its constitution last year to allow all members to vote for divisional leaders and 25 members of the central leadership council, including the president, deputy president and four vice-presidents.
The party’s 218 divisions would hold two separate meetings, one for the annual general meeting and election of divisional leaders and the second meeting would be convened to vote for national leaders.
The divisions would be voting for national leaders on weekends from October 29 to November 21.