MIC election steering committee chairperson K Vijayanathan today announced that nominations for the party polls will be accepted from 10am to noon on Aug 22 at the headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

NONEAt a press conference this morning, he said nomination forms will be available free of charge from Aug 10 at the party headquarters.

A total of 1,500 delegates will be eligible to elect the deputy president, three vice-presidents and 23 central working committee members on Sept 12.

This will also be the first day of the party’s general assembly, which is to be opened by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

The election is expected to be concluded by 3pm and the results to be announced at 6pm the same day.

Vijayanathan said candidates will only be legally qualified to contest once their accounts are cleared.

Hand phones barred

He further said that guidelines are being considered to curb excessive lobbying in the 24 hours prior to the polls, due to complaints from delegates outside Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

NONEThe election committee - also comprising Devaki Krishnan KR Somasundaram, Dr A Puravi and T Nagarajan - will also bar delegates from using hand phones before and during the election.

This is especially to prevent delegates from taking photos of the ballot paper after they cast their vote.

Asked to comment on whether MIC president S Samy Vellu has violated election regulations by meeting with state leaders recently in Negri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur, Vijayanathan this is not against the rules.

“He has announced his preferred choice of leaders but leaves it to the delegates to choose. He is doing his duty by meeting the delegates,” added Somasundaram.

The election for the party president was held in March, which was won uncontested by Samy Vellu for a record 11th term, and thus retaining his iron grip over party matters.

The party's Youth and Wanita wings will be electing their leaders on Aug 16.