‘EC made double voting possible ‘

PKR alleges that the Election Commission's decision to provide more than one electoral list in a single polling stream may have facilitated double voting in some areas.

PETALING JAYA: PKR vice president Fuziah Salleh today alleged that the Election Commission (EC) made an amendment to the electoral process that could have allowed double voting in certain areas.

Speaking at a press conference today, Fuziah said that the amendment allowed the EC to provide up to two additional electoral lists for a single polling stream.

“In a stream where there are more than 20 voters, the EC had provided additional electoral lists to the EC officers.

“It means that the EC could open a stream within a stream,” she said.

The new system, Fuziah said, could allow double voting to occur as the second list would still have the names of those who had already voted earlier.

“Added with the fact that the so called indelible ink was washable within hours, many could have gone to vote twice using the second or the third list,” she said.

On May 21, Sinar Harian reported that 23-year old Mohd Fadhli Khaharuddin lodged a police report claiming he was allowed to vote twice at his polling station in Sekolah Kebangsaan Sungai Isap, located in Kuantan, Pahang.

He said that he voted first at 10.30am in the morning of May 5, washed off the ink on his finger to go vote again in the afternoon.

Fadhli was allowed to vote for the second time but the youth did not cast the ballot.

Fuziah said that the new regulation of providing additional fresh electoral list may have been a reason why Fadhli was allowed to vote twice.

“They may have used the fresh list, which had not struck out Fadhli’s name, compounded with the fact that the ink was washable within hours,” she said.

Asked on when the amendment was made, Fuziah said it was made about a week before the election.

She added that the changes were only made aware to the state election directors via circulars.

“We were not informed of the changes. Normally, the EC will let the Parliament know if they are making any changes whatsoever,” she said.

The PKR leader added that there was no reason for the EC to print additional electoral list as they could open more streams to cater for the soaring number of voters.

“But instead of opening more streams, they provided additional electoral lists.

“This is why we believe the EC engaged in a systematic effort to ensure BN wins the general election,” claimed Fuziah.