Opposition still undecided on concurrent polls

The opposition is in two minds on holding state polls concurrently with the parliamentary election.

Pakatan Rakyat cited the Election Commission’s (EC) inability to ensure that the election process will be free of corruption, as one reason for mulling separate polls in the states it governs.

“The EC has not been able to clean up the electoral rolls, although the election is speculated to be around the corner,” said opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, referring to the latest allegations on dubious voters having been entered in the list.

Pakatan - which administers Kelantan, Kedah, Selangor and Penang - had previously indicated that it may not dissolve these state assemblies when the federal government dissolves Parliament to make way for the 13th general election.

Anwar, who is also the Permatang Pauh PKR MP, said Pakatan’s decision will heavily rely on the outcome of the parliamentary select committee on electoral reform’s report due next week.

He complained that the EC is not being proactive in rectifying issues concerning the allegations of voters withe same MyKad numbers and those listed as postal voter after enrolling in the armed forces.

“All these are just examples we have already (reported to the EC) but it not our duty, it is the EC’s duty to clean up the electoral roll,” exclaimed Anwar.

This, said Anwar, has an “influence” on the Pakatan leadership’s final decision as the continuing allegations of a fraudulent electoral system could greatly hamper the opposition’s chances.

“I think we have to sit with the (state leadership) again. No decision has been reached yet,” he said.

“We have the option of whether we should hold it all together, but it is still open,” added Anwar.

He also said that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s nonchalance in giving an assurance that the electoral reforms will be implemented before the elections are held, is also a contributing factor.

“We have compelling evidence and facts to support our argument that the (election) process is fraudulent,” he reiterated.

“So that’s the issue and that will influence our decision (on whether to hold simultaneous polls), in particular in some states,” said Anwar.

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