Hundreds of PAS supporters gathered outside the headquarters of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) in Kuala Lumpur today, as party leaders lodged a formal protest over alleged foul play perpetrated by the Election Commission (EC) during Sunday's polls.

At least 500 people listened in rapt attention to short addresses given by several PAS leaders, including secretary-general Nasharuddin Mat Isa, vice-president Dr Hasan Ali, and committee member Mohamad Sabu, criticising the EC for discrepancies and irregularities that occurred during polling hours.

Also present was Keadilan leader and former Internal Security Act detainee Dr Badrul Amin Bahron who, amidst shouts of support, said the opposition parties were not protesting because of their devastating defeat but over the "cheating" that took place.

The tense crowd stayed for about 30 minutes before dispersing at the request of the PAS leaders.

Although the police and Federal Reserve Unit officers were present at the scene, no untoward incident occurred.

Questioned about the implications of the gathering, Hasan said PAS had no intention of causing unrest over the party's dissatisfaction over the election results.

"I don't think (there will be unrest). That is why we have appealed for peaceful gatherings. We are not like Umno people," he said.

On reports of clashes in Terengganu, Hasan said, "those are rumours....take them as just rumours".

Nine irregularities

Earlier, about 20 PAS and Keadilan leaders submitted a memorandum to Suhakam commissioner Prof Hamdan Adnan listing down nine irregularities allegedly committed by the EC.

Hasan, who read out the memorandum, said the party wanted to make its initial objections known while election workers and supporters collected proof of wrongdoing.

He said initial observations showed that the EC had allegedly:

- Used two different voter lists which confused voters and political parties

- Deliberately used an electoral roll which was no gazetted before nomination day

- Included in the electoral roll names of people with dual entries, thereby allowing them to vote in different places

- Removed eligible voters from the electoral roll although these people had previously voted without problems

- Delayed the handing-over of the electoral roll to political parties to stop them from verifying voter details and filing objections

- Extended voting hours without authority and without informing contesting parties of their decision

- Allowed Puteri Umno members to work as EC agents

- Took no action against Puteri Umno members who marked and spoiled polling slips

- Allowed an "evil conspiracy" between Barisan Nasional (BN) and the National Registration Department, as demonstrated by the presence of Home Ministry secretary-general Aseh Che Mat at the BN national operations centre at the Putra World Trade Centre

Hasan said PAS wanted the gazetting of the elections results to be delayed until a full investigation could be carried out into the actions of the EC.

"We appeal to the King and the Sultans to postpone the formation of the cabinet and the state assemblies until an independent commission of Commonwealth observers can be formed to look into the integrity of the 11th general election," he said.

Hasan also urged the Sultan of Terengganu not to swear in any Umno leader as menteri besar or state leaders until free and fair elections can be held.

Furthermore, he called for fresh elections to be held in states where problems have been reported.

Hamdan (photo), on receiving the memorandum, said Suhakam would review the complaints and determine if any violations of human rights have occurred.

He urged those dissatisfied with the electoral process to file official complaints with the EC.

"We will take action on anything that has to do with violations of human rights. A lot of the complaints have to do with the EC's conduct so they have to be responsible," he said.

"The EC has to receive complaints and investigate into them. Those who are responsible but bear their responsibilities."

Hamdan said the right to free and fair elections is a human right enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Gathering feedback

At a press conference after the handover, Hasan said PAS has set up various channels to obtain feedback from people who experienced problems while attempting to vote.

"We urge people to come forth. We have set up a service centre to receive complaints from the people," he said.

He said inconsistencies in the electoral roll did not just occur in Selangor, where there was widespread press coverage over chaos on election day, but also in other states throughout the country.

"Feedback has come from Selangor because we are here. The (complaints) from other states are slowly filtering in," he explained.

Nasharuddin said the party would seek remedy through all available channels.

"There are various channels and procedures that we can take...There is a 21-day period before the election results have to be gazetted," he said.

On the party's next course of action if the EC refuses to hold fresh elections, Hasan said PAS will continue to voice its dissatisfaction and mobilise people to stand up for their rights to free and fair elections.

Saturday's elections saw one of the biggest victories for BN in the 47-year history of the nation, which saw the PAS' influence over Kelantan and Terengganu dramatically reduced.

The Islamic opposition party lost control of Terengganu but managed to hold on to the Kelantan government, although it lost its two-third majority.

Its Barisan Alternatif ally Keadilan did poorly as well with party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail just retaining Permatang Pauh seat with a 590-vote majority.