‘Early ballots removed before May 5′

PKR vice-president Fuziah Salleh alleged that early and postal ballots were removed from the Kuantan police headquarters a day before general election.

PETALING JAYA: PKR vice president Fuziah Salleh alleged that the early and postal ballots at her constituency were removed from the police station a day before the general election.

Speaking at a press conference today, Fuziah said that she received a tip-off from her source that the Election Commission (EC) and the police would be removing the ballots from the Kuantan police headquarters on May 4.

“So I went there at about 7.30am and true enough SPR arrived at about 8am to collect the ballots,” said Fuziah.

After negotiations, Fuziah said that the EC officials had allowed her to escort the ballot boxes to ensure it was not tampered but claimed that the police disallowed her from doing so.

Fuziah added that the matter ensued a stand-off between the police and her supporters (photo below).

“The police even threatened to arrest me for obstructing the law,” she said.

Fuziah added that it could have happened at the police stations in other constituencies as many were not aware of the happenings.

“And we suspect that the ballots were tampered. In the past, at least 20% of the votes would have gone to Pakatan Rakyat but this time, it was only 10%,” she said.

Fuziah then alleged that the EC had broken its promises made during its meeting with parliamentarians in the previous session.

Among them, Fuziah said, was that the candidates’ agents would be allowed to monitor the early and postal ballots 24 hours till the day of the general election.

“But all over the country, the police district chiefs did not allow our agents to monitor the ballots which were kept in the police stations.

“I also received information that the early and postal ballots were in the cells where the indelible inks were kept. This could have also compromised the votes,” she said.

What’s in the ink?

Fellow PKR vice president Tian Chua, who was present by Fuziah’s side, accused EC chairman Abdul Aziz Yusof of being a liar for failing to keep with his promises made when the select committee on electoral reforms was established.

He also urged the EC to explain on what is the content of the indelible ink, to find out on what caused the ink to be washable within hours of being applied.

“The ink, if contained silver nitrate, would have been indelible whether it was shaken or not. The EC must tell us of its content,” said Tian Chua.