Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth wing has alleged that an Election Commission (EC) official helped Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Abdul Aziz Kiram to fill up his nomination papers for the Batu Talam by-election.

"We got information that the EC has been giving a lot of attention to the BN candidate to the point that during nomination (yesterday) an EC official advised Abdul Aziz on how to fill up the form," said the wing's acting chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.

He claimed that Abdul Aziz had filled the form wrongly and an objection was raised over this but it was shot down by the EC.

In view of this, Shamsul said PKR Youth will continue to press for the resignation of EC chairperson Abdul Rashid Abdul Rahman.

He also expressed regret with Abdul Rashid's recent remark that the opposition cannot take on the strength and machinery of BN.

"Such statements should not be made by an EC chairperson," he stressed.

Public debate

As for Umno Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin's statement that PKR adviser Anwar Ibrahim and other opposition leaders were 'cowards', Shamsul said his party's will to fight is still strong.

"If Umno feels the EC is carrying out its duties in a democratic manner, then PKR Youth challenges Khairy and Umno Youth to fight on a level playing field - allow PKR to have the same amount of media coverage," he said.

He also challenged Khairy - who is Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's son-in-law - to a televised public debate on the EC.

Khairy had criticised the opposition leaders over their decision to boycott the Jan 28 Batu Talam polls in order to press for electoral reforms.

The state seat in Pahang fell vacant following the death of BN incumbent Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan on Dec 27.

BN candidate Abdul Aziz will be taking on independent Ng Chee Pang, a 22-year-old trader.